‘The Hungry Octopus’ - Where is all the summer seafood?

The ‘Hungry Octopus’ of Cornwall is more than a seaside legend, it reflects a shifting marine ecosystem. From rising sea temperatures, changing predator-prey dynamics, and expanding species ranges are rewriting the rules of Cornwall’s coastal food web. Discover more about our local ‘hungry octopus’….

• What is ‘The Hungry Octopus’ ?

Cornwall is experiencing a rare population explosion of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), a species usually scarce in UK waters. Divers around our local waters of the Lizard Peninsula reported multiple sightings. One fisherman logged a staggering 150 octopuses in a single day, versus his typical catch of just one or two a year.

• Why are they here?

Experts attribute the boom to a ‘perfect storm’ of ecological shifts, such as the marine heatwaves which raised sea temperatures by up to 4 °C, improving survival rates of octopus larvae, and due to the overfishing of the traditional predators of juvenile octopus meant even more are surviving.

• Seafood under siege?

The incoming octopus have invaded crab and lobster pots, consuming shellfish at alarming rates! Fishermen have described catching only slashed shells or empty pots, remarking that the octopus 'crack the shell and suck everything out'! One report from Devon notes daily catches dropping from 60–100 kg of lobster and 500–800 kg of crab…

So next time you hear locals muttering about a crab sandwich shortage, you’ll know the culprit! Discover our current menus, and remember seafood is always subject to availability! (thanks to the hungry octopus)