The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a new dedicated webpage on GOV.UK to provide updates and track the common octopus bloom in South West England. The page will keep the public, fishing industry, and scientific community informed about the increase in common octopus sightings since 2025.
The new webpage serves as a central hub for information, including updates from the MMO and government, details of ongoing stakeholder work, scientific research, and monitoring activities. Monthly octopus and shellfish landing figures, previously shared through the South West Regional Fisheries Group, will now be published and updated on the page.
An octopus reporting portal has been introduced on the webpage, allowing divers, recreational anglers, and the public to submit sightings. These reports, combined with commercial fisheries data, will help the MMO to better understand where octopus are appearing and if they are spreading to new areas.
Tim Dixon, Head of Fisheries Management at MMO, stated that the webpage ensures everyone can easily find reliable, up-to-date information. He added that the reporting portal allows those who spot an octopus to help build a fuller picture of what is happening in UK waters.
Common octopus and curled octopus are already included in two non-quota species fisheries management plans: the Southern North Sea FMP and the Channel demersal FMP. These plans contain actions to improve understanding of octopus species through monitoring, research, and evidence gathering, which will help the MMO determine if further steps are needed.