2025 is ‘year of the octopus’ as record numbers spotted off England’s south coast
Milder weather led to a bloom in the invertebrates in south Cornwall and Devon, wildlife charity says
TL;DR
- Wildlife Trusts declare 2025 the "year of the octopus" due to record sightings.
- Mild winter and warm spring prompted an unprecedented number of Mediterranean octopuses on England's south coast.
- Approximately 233,000 octopuses were caught in UK waters, a significant increase from normal expectations.
- The last octopus bloom of this magnitude was recorded in 1950.
- Octopuses were spotted in shallow waters, sometimes in groups and 'walking' on their limbs.
- Another mild winter suggests a potential for a second bloom in 2026, though it's unlikely to last long.
- Other wildlife successes include record numbers of grey seals and puffins.
- New species were recorded in unusual locations, including a sea slug and a variable blenny.
- Environmental disasters, such as a North Sea tanker collision and biobead release, also occurred.