The European sea has recorded unusual behavior by some species, with direct impacts on local fishing. Octopus has long been one of the stars of Portuguese cuisine, present on tables from the north to the south of the country in dishes such as octopus à lagareiro or algarve style. However, this animal, so popular in Portugal, has become an unexpected problem in the United Kingdom, where it is proliferating in a worrying way in coastal waters.
Nature is sensitive to any imbalance and, when a species goes from being a regular presence to being invasive, the impact on ecosystems can be significant. This is precisely what is happening on British coasts, where octopuses began to appear in large numbers since last March, according to The New York Times.
In just a few weeks, fishermen in regions such as Devon and Cornwall stopped catching the usual shellfish and crustaceans to find their nets full of octopus. What is considered a delicacy in Portugal is being seen in the United Kingdom as a true marine pest.
Local authorities estimate that, in the first six months of this year, more than 1,200 tonnes of octopus have already been caught in the waters off southwest England. In previous years, the number was only around 140 tons in the same period.
An impact that threatens the marine balance
According to the Marine Management Organization, seafood fishing has fallen by around 80% in some areas due to the increasing presence of octopuses, which have become dominant predators and are feeding on species such as crabs and scallops.
British fishermen describe the situation as unprecedented. Many admit that captures are no longer profitable and that, even when they manage to sell the octopus, the ecological imbalance is evident. Some, in places like Plymouth, decided to adapt their businesses and dedicate themselves almost exclusively to fishing for this animal.
Still, the change is not without risks. The uncertainty about the duration of the phenomenon and the possibility of octopus populations moving to other areas leaves fishermen apprehensive about the future, says the same source.
Causes under investigation
To try to understand what is happening, the British Government has commissioned scientific studies that should soon reveal whether this invasion is temporary or the beginning of a more lasting trend.
Researchers are analyzing possible causes, including increased water temperatures, which in some areas of the United Kingdom have risen by up to four degrees compared to the average value recorded in recent years.
The United Kingdom, which decades ago was practically self-sufficient in fishing, now depends largely on fish imports, which has left its waters more vulnerable to ecological changes, according to the .
A delicacy in Portugal, a problem in England
While the British see the mass arrival of octopus as a threat, in Portugal it continues to be one of the most valued gastronomic products. In Portuguese restaurants, it is synonymous with tradition and flavor, whether grilled, roasted or cooked.
Octopus occupies a prominent place in Portuguese cuisine, being a constant presence on Christmas, Easter and popular festivals from the north to the south of the country. But what is a pleasure at the table in one country has become an environmental challenge in another. The phenomenon shows how fragile the marine balance is and how small changes can transform a prized ingredient, and symbol of Portuguese cuisine, into a problem for ecosystems.
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