The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a new dedicated webpage on GOV.UK to keep the public, fishing industry and scientific community updated in response to the common octopus bloom in South West England

Since 2025, there has been a marked increase in sightings of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The new webpage acts as a single, central source of information on the bloom, bringing together updates from MMO and government, details of ongoing work with stakeholders, the latest scientific research and monitoring activity, and monthly octopus and shellfish landing figures. Infographics previously shared through the South West Regional Fisheries Group will now be published on the page and updated every month.