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Conservationists name 2025 “the year” octopusAfter sighting of eight legged creatures British The highest number of water since the 1950s.
is increasing temperature And a record number of sightings due to the “hot breeding season” common octopus (normal or Mediterranean octopus) in the south cornwall and Devon, according to The Wildlife Trust’s annual report.
Donation said it was “appalled” by the “incredible” numbers Octopus – which are native to British waters, but in such small numbers that they are not usually seen throughout the year.
It says the invertebrates were filmed “walking”, cleaning themselves, mating and even being captured on camera underwater.
Matt Slater, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said about 233,000 octopuses were caught by local fishermen in Cornwall this year – about 13 times the normal amount. Guardian,
Due to warmer breeding seasons where larvae are more likely to survive, exceptionally mild temperatures may cause a “bloom”, or increase in populations. But the charity said a recording of this size had not been seen since the 1950s.
It says even greater numbers of octopuses are expected to be seen roaming UK seas in 2026, with the World Meteorological Organization predicting global temperatures will rise over the next five years.
“Octopus eggs are surviving our warm winters, so we are likely to see regular occurrences of octopus blooms in future years,” it said in its annual report.
It says fisheries will need to “adapt”, as octopuses feed largely on lobster, crab and shellfish.
The charity reported several other surprising marine discoveries during the year, includingE First UK record of a pink-orange “hair curler” sea slug in Cornwall. Nudibranch sightings, commonly found along the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and western Atlantic coasts Spurilla neapolitana Until now, it had only been built north of Brest, France.
The angelshark, one of the world’s rarest sharks, was also spotted in Cardigan Bay, Wales. A critically endangered shark was caught on underwater cameras for the first time in four years.
Ruth Williams, head of marine at The Wildlife Trusts, said the year had been “bookended” by environmental disasters including the North Sea tanker collision in March and the release of tonnes of bio-beads off the Sussex coast in November.
“Despite the challenges of the year, we had moments of joy and wonder,” he said. “Our conservationists have celebrated successes such as the first signs of puffin breeding on the Isle of Muck and the healthy growth of transplanted seagrass on the Essex coast.
“They have also been amazed by the incredible number of octopuses recorded this year.”