Regional Fisheries Groups – South West 7efg

South West Octopus bloom - update July 2026

During 2025 and into 2026, fishermen in South West England reported a surge in sightings and landings of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), often referred to as an “octopus bloom”. 

A dedicated MMO octopus webpage has been developed and can be accessed through this link - MMO Updates on the octopus bloom. This webpage provides updates on how MMO is responding to this situation, including access to an octopus reporting portal, data on octopus and shellfish landings, stakeholder engagement activities, an overview of relevant scientific research, and information on available funding.

In response to the current octopus bloom the MMO have been looking at ways to support industry.

We have been asked by stakeholders to clarify the position for vessels subject to Western Waters (WW) crab regime when fishing for other species such as octopus.

If fishing for a species other than crab/spider crab such as octopus and you only land that species and discard any crab/spider crab, then an effort day won’t be counted.

For vessels landing even minimal amounts of crab then WW days will continue to count.

Please ensure you continue to record any discards of crab. Including whole dead, whole live, or predated shell fragments.

If you have intelligence you can share regarding volumes of destroyed crab, please do share that information with the MMO at [email protected]

MMO ran a consultation to seek views on a fourth seasonal closure of the crawfish fishery in English waters of ICES area 7 for all UK and EU vessels using all gear types. The consultation ran from 30 April to 12 May 2026. Responses collected during the 2026 engagement events have been analysed alongside the online survey responses.  

Further information on the 2026/2027 consultation, including consultation document with recorded engagement responses is available on the Crawfish page.