MMO updates on the octopus bloom
During 2025 and into 2026, fishermen in South West England reported a surge in sightings and landings of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), often referred to as an “octopus bloom”. This webpage provides updates on how the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responding to this situation, including access to an octopus reporting portal, data on octopus and shellfish landings, stakeholder engagement activities, an overview of relevant scientific research, and information on available funding.
Spotted an octopus? Let us know!
Inviting divers, recreational anglers and the general public who do not submit MMO landings data to report any octopus sightings - let us know by completing this short form.
While the UK has an endemic species of curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) (also known as horned octopus or lesser octopus), common octopus are typically found in the warmer waters of northern Africa and the Mediterranean. The rise of common octopus in English waters is thought to be linked to environmental conditions, including increasing sea temperatures. Elevated numbers have continued through the winter and into 2026.
MMO is working closely with stakeholders and monitoring landings to build a clearer picture of the bloom, its impacts on other fisheries and the wider marine environment, and the potential for an emerging octopus fishery.
MMO updates on the octopus bloom
MMO is monitoring landings of octopus, as well as stocks impacted by in increased presence of octopus, such as crab, lobster, scallops, crawfish and whelks. Current landings data is presented in the infographic linked below. We will look to update these infographics towards the start of each month following the official release of MMO Monthly Sea Fisheries Statistics.
UPDATE 09/07/2026: Change to the publishing frequency of the octopus and shellfish infographics.
To ensure we remain in line with government statistical practices, the octopus infographics will now be published monthly following the official release of MMO Monthly Sea Fisheries Statistics.
Whilst we understand that this may be disappointing to stakeholders involved in octopus and shellfish fisheries, we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the octopus infographics and wider octopus data products.
The Code of Practice for Statistics (CoP) sets the standards that producers of official statistics should commit to. MMO, as a producer of official statistics, must meet conditions of the CoP including orderly release of statistics (3.11) which requires all forms of statistics (which includes these infographics) to be published following a release practice policy. This practice enables MMO to provide consistent and well-informed information to its stakeholders.
Visit our to see more data.
Octopus identification (ID) cards
MMO has developed ID cards for common and curled octopus to help stakeholders identify each species and understand how they are currently managed in England.
These ID cards will be available soon and physical copies will also be available at local MMO offices.
- Common octopus ID card
- Curled octopus ID card
Wider Engagement
Octopus Management Group
An Octopus Management Group has been set up to serve as an advisory group to support the development of a long-term strategy for octopus. and. It is a forum for stakeholder engagement and collaboration. The group meet on an ad-hoc basis as needed.
The overarching objectives are:
-
Contribute to the long-term strategy by providing input, feedback, and strategic direction. This may include identifying potential impacts and unintended consequences of proposals, highlighting conflicts or opportunities with other programmes, and supplying intelligence on changes in octopus and related fisheries’ abundance and distribution.
-
Consider how MMO could support the fisheries and wider supply chain that have been impacted by the octopus bloom.
-
Facilitate effective engagement with wider fisheries stakeholders.
-
Facilitate discussions with international octopus fisheries to share insights and exchange learning.
-
Feed into the development of future research and evidence plans. This could include considerations around stock assessments, research into future bloom locations, and research into the wider impacts of the bloom.
Stakeholder Impact and Requests for Support Survey
MMO invited stakeholders impacted by the octopus bloom, either positively or negatively, to take part in an online survey.
The survey gathered information to help quantify the economic impact of the bloom on stakeholders across the South West and identify what support they would welcome.
The survey ran for 15 days from the 4 of March to 19 of March 2026, receiving a total of 43 complete responses. These will be used to inform next steps.
- The report from the stakeholder survey will be published soon.
Jersey and Guernsey Governments
MMO is in conversation with the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) to promote data sharing and cross-channel communication on changes in octopus abundance.
MMO and Defra are considering how best to engage with the EU to learn from existing octopus fisheries.
Scientific research
Feasibility of a Potential Emergent Octopus fishery
This project examined the potential feasibility of a targeted octopus fishery in South West England based on stakeholder observations of generally increasing abundance of octopus and subsequent increase in bycatches. Two case studies were also reviewed to inform potential monitoring and management needs.
This project was completed prior to recognising an octopus bloom in the South West in March 2025.
A two-page summary and the full report can be found on the project page.
Octopus research conducted by the Marine Biological Association
The Marine Biological Association (MBA), along with the University of Plymouth, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and an independent consultant, have been commissioned to investigate the history and potential environmental causes of octopus blooms, the effects they are having on the fishing industry, and the potential for such blooms to happen again in the future.
Their findings can be found on mba.ac.uk.
Octopus sampling programme
As part of MMO’s monitoring and surveillance of octopus populations, we hope to establish a sampling programme in two key ports in the South West: Brixham and Newlyn.
Data collected through a sampling programme could be used to monitor octopus populations and inform MMO and wider government work. Research indicates that cephalopod market sampling needs to be undertaken regularly due to the life history of octopus, but also the environmental factors that may influence population dynamics.
In February 2026, MMO colleagues conducted preliminary market sampling at Brixham and Newlyn fish markets. This work tested early methods for collecting data. We aim to set up a regular, more collaborative sampling programme which can be done by fisherman on a regular basis in future.
Fisheries and Seafood Scheme
The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) is a Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) grant scheme administered and delivered by MMO. It is funded from the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which will invest £304m into fishing and seafood businesses and coastal communities across England.
There are opportunities for support through the FaSS to fund octopus-related applications. FaSS can support a wide range of activities, including (but not limited to) scientific research, fishing-related activities, diversification and new income streams, health and safety improvements, cooperative initiatives, capability building, and advisory services.
For more details, please visit Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. You can find contact details for MMO Grants team to contact them directly.
Contact us
Would you like to report further details on octopus landings or share your experience? Please let us know by emailing us at FMP@marinemanagement.org.uk.