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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Matthew Taylor

Octopus surge spreads up UK coast as far as Scotland, study finds

An octopus with mottled orange and grey skin rests on encrusted rocks among kelp underwater
The surge in sightings of one of the world’s most intelligent invertebrates was first recorded in 2025 off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall. Photograph: Kirsty Andrews

Record numbers of octopuses found off the south-west coast of England last year have now spread as far as Scotland and Wales and are transforming the fishing industry and the marine ecosystem, according to a study.

The surge in sightings of one of the world’s most intelligent invertebrates was first recorded in 2025 off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall.

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