Through the Gaps! - Fishing News Cornwall UK fish commercial fishing fish cooking and art

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Training bursary for maritime rope and twine crafts

While this bursary isn't specifically or exclusively aimed at commercial fishermen, the specialized knowledge of rope and twine work remains a foundational pillar of the fishing industry and broader maritime trades. From the precision required in net making and gear repair to the complex rigging and fender work that ensures vessel safety, these traditional hand skills are more than just heritage crafts—they are essential practical tools for any professional working on the water. By supporting the next generation of rope and twine experts, this initiative helps ensure that the technical expertise required to maintain and innovate within the UK’s maritime infrastructure remains accessible and robust for years to come.

New Funding Opportunity: Maritime Rope and Twine Crafts Training Bursary

Heritage Crafts, in partnership with the International Guild of Knot Tyers, has announced a specialized training bursary aimed at preserving the intricate skills of maritime rope and twine crafts. This initiative is designed to support new entrants and early-career craftspeople who are currently facing financial barriers to their professional development.

With a deadline set for 5pm on Friday, 20 March 2026, the program offers successful applicants up to £4,000 to either begin their journey in the trade or refine their existing hand skills.

Opening Doors to the Waterfront Trades

Recognizing that the high cost of training often limits the diversity and accessibility of the heritage craft sector, this bursary seeks to level the playing field. It provides vital financial relief for those who would otherwise be unable to pursue a career in maritime crafts.

The funding is specifically allocated for:

New Entrants: Individuals who have shown a clear commitment to the craft but need to acquire foundational hand skills.
Early-Career Practitioners: Those currently in the field who have yet to reach the skill level required for commercial success.
Skill Diversification: Early- or mid-career craftspeople looking to learn new, distinct techniques to expand their commercial viability.

In this context, maritime rope and twine crafts encompass both coastal and inland waterway traditions, including rope making, rigging, net making, and fender making.

What the Bursary Covers

The grant of up to £4,000 is versatile, intended to cover a range of educational expenses. Heritage Crafts specifies that the funds can be used for:

Apprenticeship-style training with experienced masters.
Specialist training courses (both accredited and non-accredited).
Self-directed training programs involving one or more expert craftspeople.
The purchase of specialist tools, materials, books, or travel/accommodation costs (capped at 30% of the total budget).

Note: The bursary is strictly for training-related costs and cannot be used for general living expenses, research, or promotional activities.

How to Apply

The application process is designed to be accessible, offering two methods of submission. Candidates can complete the standard online application form or submit a video application (maximum 15 minutes) addressing the required questions.

Following the submission deadline, the Heritage Crafts judging team will handle shortlisting, with final interviews conducted via Zoom. Once selected, recipients will work closely with the Heritage Crafts team to develop and monitor an action plan tailored to their career goals.

Key Details at a Glance:

Deadline: Friday, 20 March 2026, at 5pm.
Contact: For assistance or inquiries, applicants can reach out to Rae Weaver at rae@heritagecrafts.org.uk.
Resources: Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions and watch previous Q&A sessions before applying.

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Octopus bloom off Southwest UK: New report reveals scale, causes and consequences

A new report led by the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the University of Plymouth and an independent consultant has revealed that a dramatic population bloom of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) off the Southwest coast of the UK is having significant effects on fisheries and marine ecosystems.

The study, Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) blooms off the Southwest of the UK: History, trends, causes and consequences, was funded by Defra, Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council and draws on data from scientists, fishermen and citizen scientists.

A rare but dramatic event

The common octopus is native to UK waters but is typically rare, favouring warmer seas further south in Europe and the Mediterranean. Only four major population ‘blooms’ have been recorded in the past 125 years: in 1899-1900, 1932-33, 1950-51, and now since 2025.

The current bloom, which really accelerated from January last year, appears to be at least as extensive as any previously recorded and is still continuing.

Lead author Dr Bryce Stewart, Senior Research Fellow at the MBA and Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth, said: “This is an extraordinary event that tells us a lot about how marine life is responding to a warming ocean, and the survey reveals the mixed effect that this has had on fisheries.”

Climate link and cross-Channel connections

The research team found that unusually warm sea temperatures during bloom years and the preceding year were a consistent factor in all recorded blooms. Sustained easterly winds may have helped transport young octopus larvae from the Channel Islands and northern France. Ocean current modelling supports this, showing that larvae from Guernsey, which has seen its own octopus bloom since 2024, likely contributed to the UK surge.

Newlyn fishermen, Andrew Stevens first reported octopus devouring lobsters in his pots five years ago.

Fisheries feeling the effects

A survey of 40 fishermen revealed mixed impacts from the octopus surge. While some adapted to catching octopus and benefited economically for a period of time, over half reported negative impacts, particularly those targeting brown crabs, lobsters and scallops, which suffered heavy predation from the octopus. Catch rates for those species dropped by 30% to 50% in 2025. Concerns are therefore growing about long-term damage to crab, lobster and scallop stocks.

“Establishing the full effect of the current bloom on other species such as crabs, lobsters and scallops will require further research and monitoring,” said Dr Stewart.

Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, said: “These findings are a concern, and it justifies the urgency in carrying out this vital research at the earliest opportunity. The study has highlighted that the influx of octopus on our waters is an issue which is likely to be increasingly frequent. Attention must now focus on how best to support the needs of our fishing communities and local marine life.”

Looking ahead: monitoring, modelling and management

The report calls for continued monitoring through MBA trawl surveys, University of Plymouth BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Videos) work, and enhanced Cefas stock assessments. It also recommends the proposed OctoPulse model of ocean conditions which was developed at Plymouth Marine Laboratory; early detection of octopus larvae in plankton, and easier ways for fishermen to report sightings via apps or digital systems.

Dr Stewart added: “If these conditions persist, octopus blooms could become a more regular feature of our changing seas. Understanding their causes and consequences is vital to help both ecosystems and coastal communities adapt.”

Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a crisis for our local fishing community. Our fishers felt the pressure of the bloom earlier last year and now the science backs up what they have been telling us: the octopus bloom is not a blip – it’s a sustained threat.”

Professor Tim Smyth, Director of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said: “Thanks to Plymouth’s unique wealth of long-term marine records, stretching back more than a hundred years, and the extensive references held in the National Marine Biological Library at the Marine Biological Association documenting historic octopus blooms, we were able to forensically investigate the causes behind last summer’s outbreak. What we are seeing is clear: shifts in the marine climate are reshaping our ecosystems.”

A signal of change

Multiple reports of octopus breeding and sightings of juveniles in UK waters in 2025, previously almost unheard of, suggest the current bloom may continue or reoccur again soon. The team stresses the need to help fisheries adapt to the changing abundance of different species, and recommends further research into how sudden influxes of previously rare species affect marine ecosystems under climate change.

Professor Emma Sheehan, Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Plymouth, said: “As a result of our long-term monitoring datasets we have a great opportunity to measure changes in the octopus population to inform sustainable ecosystem scale management. It is essential that we monitor any changes in abundance, distribution and movement, and that we assess octopus relationships with other species such as useful associates, prey or predators.”

Key insights from the report

Dramatic increase: This bloom of common octopus is the largest seen for at least 75 years
Climate-driven pattern: All major octopus blooms including this one have coincided with unusually warm conditions, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Breeding breakthrough: Common octopus breeding in UK waters, previously very rare, has been widespread in UK waters this year, alongside reports of juvenile octopus in catches.
Ecosystem ripple effects: Researchers warn that the sudden influx of this adaptable predator could disrupt food webs, with unknown consequences for biodiversity and resilience.
Fisheries at risk: Over half of surveyed fishers reported negative impacts, mainly from octopus predation on crabs, lobsters and scallops. Some adapted to octopus fishing for a period of time, but many fear an uncertain future.
Assessing impact: There is therefore an urgent need to more fully assess the economic and social impact of the octopus bloom on fisheries and coastal communities
Urgent need for tools: The report calls for predictive modelling of ocean conditions, detection of larval octopus in the plankton, and digital reporting systems to provide early warnings and guide management.

The report concludes that octopus blooms could become a regular feature of UK seas, requiring support for gear adaptation and sustainable fishery development.

“We need to move beyond reactive measures and there needs to be serious investment in predictive tools and support to help fishers to adapt and safeguard a fishing fleet for the future. This is not a one-season issue. It’s a long-term challenge that demands a long-term fix,” added Councillor Evans.

Dr Stewart concluded: “This is not just a fisheries story; it’s an ecosystem story. We need to understand how these octopus blooms affect everything from shellfish stocks to top predators, and how to adapt in a rapidly changing ocean.”

Read the report in full here.

Read the non-technical summary here.

Signs that Mediterranean octopus were becoming a problem for shell fishermen, was reported on this blog some three years ago - this report from Brittany tells a very similar story.