Climate change & Octopus blooms misinformation

[Graham Easterling]

I keep hearing on the news climate change being stated as the cause of things which aren't new. The latest is the current Octopus bloom off the SW. There were equally big blooms in 1899–1900, 1932–33, and 1950–51. So, they are rare, but there's been a particularly big gap since the last one. One expert admitted they'd, but thia one was different, without really having evidence to justify the statement. If it goes on >3 years, then it will be rather different.

Meanwhile the fisherman locally are having a field day, crab pots full of more lucrative octopus.

I remember, about 20 years ago now, there were a lot of basking sharks around in June, due to the warmth apparently. Well I've seen them off Sennen in May back in the '70s. In fact sitings have been low the last few years. On todays news they were showing dolphins, which have been common off Cornwall throughout my life.

Warming is affecting the ocean ecosystem, and I'm sure species must be migrating northwards, but some of the fashionable dramatic claims don't bear investigation. 

Bit cooler here today, 26C yesterday, 24C today. It'll turn hot here as soon as the wind backs easterly. Beauiful day today.

Graham

Penzance