Officials stunned by ocean phenomenon not seen since 1950s: 'It's quite an unpredictable situation'

An octopus species native to the U.K. had a major resurgence in 2025. The common or Mediterranean octopus is prospering again in the waters off England's south coast from Cornwall to Devon. Matt Slater, a marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, told The Guardian the local fishermen's catch was 13 times more than expected in Cornwall. Advertisement AdvertisementThe species is native to the U.K. but is typically seen in smaller numbers. But the sea keeps giving us surprises at the moment so it's quite an unpredictable situation."