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Octopus scientists seek fishing community stories Octopus scientists seek fishing community stories
(about 20 hours later)
Dr Simon Thomas is trying to understand why octopus numbers have exploded for the second time in four yearsDr Simon Thomas is trying to understand why octopus numbers have exploded for the second time in four years
Scientists studying an explosion in octopus numbers in waters off the Channel Islands and south-west England want members of the fishing community to share their experiences to help them understand why it is happening.Scientists studying an explosion in octopus numbers in waters off the Channel Islands and south-west England want members of the fishing community to share their experiences to help them understand why it is happening.
Dr Simon Thomas, from the University of Plymouth, said this year's increase - known as a bloom - was unusual as it was the second in four years, whereas normally they happened every 50 to 70 years. Dr Simon Thomas, an independent fisheries consultant, said this year's increase - known as a bloom - was unusual as it was the second in four years, whereas normally they happened every 50 to 70 years.
He now wants "first-hand" accounts from people in the fishing industry, especially those catching crabs and lobsters.He now wants "first-hand" accounts from people in the fishing industry, especially those catching crabs and lobsters.
Dr Thomas said: "I work on the theory that if you spend every day out there doing your living, you probably know a lot more about your area than I do."Dr Thomas said: "I work on the theory that if you spend every day out there doing your living, you probably know a lot more about your area than I do."
Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) numbers have risen sharply since early this year. Common octopus (octopus vulgaris) numbers have risen sharply since early this year.
Now Dr Thomas's team has started working with the Marine Biological Association and Plymouth Marine Laboratory to understand why. Now Dr Thomas is part of a team of the Marine Biology Association led by Dr Bryce Stewart, in partnership with the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, trying to understand why.
He said this year's bloom started off the French coast, before moving to the Channel Islands and then to the south coast of England.He said this year's bloom started off the French coast, before moving to the Channel Islands and then to the south coast of England.
Dr Thomas said environmental factors like medium-term water temperature trends were "probably" partly to blame, but "we don't know a lot of the reasons why this happened".Dr Thomas said environmental factors like medium-term water temperature trends were "probably" partly to blame, but "we don't know a lot of the reasons why this happened".
He said the project was "unique" as it was funded by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in association with two local councils: Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council.
The explosion in octopus numbers has made catching lobsters and crabs harderThe explosion in octopus numbers has made catching lobsters and crabs harder
Crab and fishing catches had "completely collapsed" where octopuses were present, he said.Crab and fishing catches had "completely collapsed" where octopuses were present, he said.
"Some of these pots will have 10 or 12 octopus in them - and why they're doing that we're not entirely sure.""Some of these pots will have 10 or 12 octopus in them - and why they're doing that we're not entirely sure."
He explained the behaviour was unusual as they were "normally a solitary species".He explained the behaviour was unusual as they were "normally a solitary species".
He said: "To give you a bit of context, octopus are sort of the ultimate exponents of 'live fast, die young'.He said: "To give you a bit of context, octopus are sort of the ultimate exponents of 'live fast, die young'.
"So, they rapidly grow, they only live a couple of years and they produce a lot of offspring, [which end up] in the plankton.""So, they rapidly grow, they only live a couple of years and they produce a lot of offspring, [which end up] in the plankton."
Dr Thomas said fishers were "absolutely vital" to understand why the bloom was happening, and he hoped the information could help them adapt if it became a more regular trend.Dr Thomas said fishers were "absolutely vital" to understand why the bloom was happening, and he hoped the information could help them adapt if it became a more regular trend.
Some fishers were already adapting by catching octopuses, such as "one of the largest ever catches" which landed in Newlyn, Cornwall, recently.Some fishers were already adapting by catching octopuses, such as "one of the largest ever catches" which landed in Newlyn, Cornwall, recently.
However, he said small-scale fishers could struggle to sell catches.However, he said small-scale fishers could struggle to sell catches.
"It's decimating some fishermen's livelihoods, which is never a good thing.""It's decimating some fishermen's livelihoods, which is never a good thing."
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Send your Channel Islands story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk and South West ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.Send your Channel Islands story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk and South West ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.