The seabed is full of them': heatwave brings octopus influx to English waters

An unprecedented heatwave has led to a surge of octopuses in English waters this spring, delighting some sea fishers and alarming others.

- Jamie Grierson Sandra Laville

A boom in catches began in March when sea temperatures off east Cornwall and Devon rose by up to 4C above spring averages.

The hauls have been a boon for the south-west's sea fishers. At Brixham market where most of the catch is sold, tonnes of octopus is being traded every day. To celebrate the cephalopod plenty, one cafe has had an octopus mural makeover, while the light-up Octavia the octopus - usually illuminated only at Christmas - is being switched on every night.

Barry Young, the managing director of Brixham Trawler Agents, said 36,000kg of octopus came through the town's market last Thursday - compared with just 200kg or so this time last year.

"It's a financial bonus for the fishermen. They're grabbing it with two hands while they can," Young said. "Boats fish for certain species. We go out for 'bottom fish', which are also called demersal species. We catch plaice, dover sole, brill, turbot; anything sort of bottom-dwelling. Luckily for us and the fleet we deal with, the octopus seems to be a bottom-dwelling fish as well."

Ian Perkes, who has owned a fish merchant in Brixham harbour for 49 years, said it was the first time he had seen such large octopuses being brought in by the local fleet.