2025 Proclaimed 'The Octopus Year' Off England's Southern Shores.

Record-breaking sightings of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates this past summer have led to the designation of 2025 as the year for octopuses in an annual review of UK coastal waters.

A Perfect Storm Driving a Surge

A mild winter coupled with a remarkably hot spring prompted a massive influx of *Octopus vulgaris* to establish themselves along the southern coastline of England, from Penzance in Cornwall to south Devon.

“The volume of octopuses caught was of the order of about 13 times what we would usually anticipate in the waters around Cornwall,” stated a marine conservation officer. “When we added up the numbers, nearly a quarter of a million octopuses were caught in UK waters this year – which is a significant rise from what is typical.”

The common octopus is found in UK waters but typically so rare it is seldom observed. An explosive growth is the result of the dual effect of a mild winter and favorable spring temperatures. Such favorable circumstances meant more larvae, possibly in part fuelled by abundant stocks of a favored prey species also recorded.

A Historic Event

Previously, such an octopus proliferation of this size was documented in 1950, with past documentation indicating the last bloom prior to that occurred in 1900.

The sheer quantity of octopuses meant they could be frequently seen in shallow waters for a rare occurrence. Video footage show octopuses congregating together – contrary to their normally lone nature – and “walking” along the seabed on their tentacle tips. One creature was even filmed grabbing an underwater camera.

“During a first dive there this year I saw five of these creatures,” they noted. “They are large specimens. Two kinds exist in UK waters. The curled octopus is rather small, the size of a ball, but these common octopuses can be reaching impressive sizes.”

Looking Ahead & Coastal Highlights

A second gentle winter this coming winter could lead to a second bloom next year, because historically, in similar situations, the blooms have repeated for two years running.

“Still, the chances are low, looking at history, that it will persist indefinitely,” they cautioned. “The ocean is full of surprises at the moment so it’s hard to forecast.”

The annual review also highlighted other “surprises, successes and joyful moments” across British shores, including:

• Highest-ever counts of grey seals recorded in one northern region.
• Record numbers of the iconic seabirds on Skomer.
• A first-ever sighting of a rare sea slug in Yorkshire, normally residing farther south.
• A type of blenny found off the coast of Sussex for the first occasion.

A Note of Caution

Challenges were also present, however. “The calendar year was marked by environmental disasters,” said a head of marine conservation. “A major tanker collision in the North Sea and the release of plastic pollution off the Sussex coast highlighted ongoing threats. Dedicated individuals are making huge efforts to defend and heal our coasts.”