Since early 2025, divers off the Cornish coast noticed something wild: giant octopus washing into the waters around Devon and Cornwall. By January 2026, crab pots are overflowing with these crafty cephalopods 🐙– a phenomenon no one saw coming!
Fishing ports like Brixham have seen boats landing up to 36 tonnes of octopus in a single day. Barry Young, Managing Director of Brixham Trawler Agents, says, "At the moment we could probably see 20 tonnes a day. The biggest day we've had is probably around 36 tonnes. For some people, it's been an unexpected gold rush because of the money it's making." With octopus fetching around $10,000 per tonne on international markets, the financial tide has turned in favor of adaptable crews 💰.
Challenges & Opportunities
Octopus have no spine, so they squeeze into shellfish pots and feast on crabs and lobsters, leaving traditional catches in short supply. Still, the high value of octopus has helped offset those losses for many fishermen. Creativity onshore is booming, too: Brixham restaurants and fishmongers are launching octopus-centric menus, and seafood TikTokers can’t get enough of #OctopusObsession.
Some chefs are remixing the classic Galician-style octopus, or “pulpo a la gallega,” while social feeds are flooded with videos of perfectly charred tentacles and zesty marinades. It’s like a kraken raid straight out of a video game – and everyone wants in on the loot 🎮🐙.
As 2026 unfolds, the octopus boom is reshaping the UK fishing industry. Fishermen are experimenting with octopus-specific traps, and marine biologists are racing to understand why these Mediterranean wanderers are thriving here. One thing’s for sure: nature’s surprises can turn the tide for communities overnight 🌊🛥️.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
