Marine heat waves trigger massive octopus bloom off UK coast

An intense marine heat wave off the coast of Devon and Cornwall has triggered a massive octopus bloom, the largest recorded in 75 years. Water temperatures in the region have risen up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, allowing warm-water species like the common octopus to thrive in British waters where larvae typically perish in colder temperatures.

The surge has significantly impacted the local ecosystem and economy. Octopus landings along the UK’s southwest coast have increased by approximately 7,700 percent compared to usual levels, providing a boost for fishers in the European export market. However, the invasion has also reduced catches of scallops, lobster, and crab.

The warming waters have altered the food chain, attracting predators such as bluefin tuna, sharks, seals, and dolphins to the area. Experts from the Marine Biological Association note that unlike previous surges where cold water returned to kill off the population, the current heat wave is allowing the octopuses to reproduce and sustain the population. Globally, an estimated 82 percent of the world’s oceans are currently experiencing marine heat waves.