The explosive growth of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) populations, first reported by fishermen in the south-west of England earlier this year, has led to an unprecedented collaboration, rapidly brought together, between Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, and DEFRA to investigate its causes and consequences.
Recognising the urgency and potential impact on the fishing industry and marine ecosystem, Plymouth City Council Leader Cllr Tudor Evans OBE approached neighbouring authorities and Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner MP to commission a study. Devon County Council quickly joined the effort, and DEFRA extended the scope to include wider scientific research and data collection.
Dr Bryce Stewart of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) is leading the project, supported by scientists from Plymouth University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
‘Almost overnight, our local potters saw their usual crab and lobster catches replaced by octopus and the remains of what they hadn’t eaten. It was a dramatic shift,’ Cllr Tudor Evans said.
‘While historic data shows that octopus blooms have occurred before, none have happened in living memory, which is why we felt it was essential to act quickly – gathering real-time data and first-hand accounts from fishermen across the South West. We’re incredibly grateful to Devon County Council for partnering with us, and to Minister Zeichner for recognising the urgency of the situation. DEFRA’s support has been vital in helping us launch this important research.’
‘On a personal level, living near Salcombe and Dartmouth, this is having a direct effect on the fishing community in my area and across the whole of Devon,’ commented Devon County Council Leader Councillor Julian Brazil.
‘We’re pleased to be supporting this project which is important for our environment and economy. Climate change is warming our seas and oceans and we’re now seeing the additional challenges that’s bringing with it, so it’s vital that we gain a better understanding of how this is impacting local marine life and the knock-on effect on our local fishing industry.’
Scientist and former fisherman Dr Simon Thomas will lead engagement with fishermen, gathering insights from quaysides across the southwest to understand the origins of the bloom, its potential recurrence, and its impact on other marine stocks and livelihoods.
‘The vast knowledge of the fishermen is central to understanding what has happened with the octopus bloom. They have been out there, observing the bloom evolve and move in real time. My job is to listen to the fishermen and piece together their ideas and information, combine with historical and environmental data, to try and understand why these octopus are here in such large numbers and if this will be an isolated event or will this happen more often,’ he said.
The broader DEFRA-commissioned study led by Dr Stewart will use advanced techniques such as baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) and time-lapse cameras on crab and lobster pots to monitor octopus behaviour and develop a potential early warning system for future blooms.
‘We are hugely grateful to Plymouth City Council for leading the call for this research, and to them, Devon County Council and Defra for providing financial support for the project. Through our work we aim to better understand why the bloom occurred, how it has affected the fishing industry, and how to be better prepared if such a bloom happens again. With climate change rapidly warming our waters, unusual biological events such as this are only likely to become more common in the future,’ Bryce Stewart said.
‘It’s great to see this study get underway and we’re looking forward to working with Dr Thomas and sharing our knowledge and information. It’s a tough time for small scale fishermen, the octopus bloom, and its impacts to crab, lobster and scallop stocks needs to be well understood. I’ve never seen a science project start so quickly and use local expertise, this is clearly down to Plymouth City Council leading the charge and I hope we see more of these types of projects locally led, engaging with fishermen to fill other knowledge and stock gaps in the future,’ said local fisherman Brian Tapper.
‘We are incredibly grateful to the leaders of Devon County Council and Plymouth City Council for agreeing to fund this piece of work alongside DEFRA,’ said Beshlie Pool of South Devon and Channel Shellfishermen.
‘To have their support in trying to understand the implications of the current octopus bloom on our futures is invaluable to us. We are keen to share what we know with Dr. Simon Thomas and are excited to learn more as things progress.’
Image: South Devon and Channel Shellfishermen Ltd
