A severe infestation of octopuses has caused turmoil within the British shellfish industry

In the picturesque waters off southwest England, veteran fisherman Brian Tapper has faced a series of unwelcome surprises during the crabbing season.

For years, Tapper's business has thrived, supplying crab meat to restaurants and markets across the region. But this year, something unusual has taken hold.

Starting in May, Tapper's crab pots were unexpectedly filled with octopuses. The octopuses, known for their voracious appetite, have been causing a significant impact on the crab population.

"It's been a challenge," Tapper admits. "The octopuses have been taking over my crab pots, leaving me with little to no catch."

The background of this year's crab overfishing in southwestern England involves predation pressure mainly from marine mammals and particularly the common octopus species.

Tapper's financial situation is affected by the unexpected presence of octopuses. His business, which includes three purpose-built crab fishing vessels, is idled at Plymouth Harbour. His wife has closed her dockside crab processing factory due to the diminished catch.

The crabbing industry in southwest England is experiencing financial difficulties due to the current situation. The crabbing season has caused financial strain for businesses involved in the industry. Tapper doubts he can keep his side of the business afloat.

Over the last month or so, Tapper's crab pots have been largely empty again. This follows a period in March and April when his pots were almost empty.

The crabbing season has seen a shift in the prevalence of certain species. While crabs have historically been the main catch, Tapper has been finding more and more octopuses in his pots.

Despite the challenges, Tapper remains hopeful. He's working with marine biologists to understand the octopus population and its impact on the crab population. He's also exploring new fishing methods to potentially reduce the number of octopuses in his catch.

As the season continues, Tapper and the crabbing industry in southwest England will continue to adapt to these unexpected occurrences. The hope is that next year will bring a return to more traditional catches and a revival of the region's thriving crabbing industry.

A severe infestation of octopuses has caused turmoil within the British shellfish industry