Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 52554

Octopuses: Cornwall

Tabled: 14 May 2025
Answered: 21 May 2025

Question

Anna Gelderd

LabourSouth East Cornwall

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in biomass of Octopus vulgaris on (a) lobster and (b) crab stocks in Cornwall.

Answer

Daniel Zeichner
I recently visited the fishing industry in Plymouth and was made aware of reports of an unusual abundance of octopus in the Southwest including Cornwall. Defra understands this ‘octopus bloom’ is impacting shellfish potting fisheries and causing concern t...

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 52554) →