Overview

• Fishermen in Plymouth and Brixham are hauling unprecedented volumes of octopus, with weekly catches rising from 20kg to half a tonne over the past year.
• The octopus surge is devastating local crab, lobster, and scallop fisheries as the animals break into pots through escape holes and consume entire catches.
• Environmental changes, including warming seas and predator declines, are cited by fishermen as potential drivers of the population boom.
• Reports suggest the octopuses may have migrated from Morocco, where fishermen are experiencing a shortage of the species.
• The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority has convened an emergency meeting to evaluate conservation measures and address the crisis.