Social Octopus Species Shatters Beliefs About Ocean Dwellers – National Geographic

If recent octopus discoveries have taught us anything, it’s that these eight-armed ocean dwellers are smart. They can use tools, change color in an instant, and commission their arms to solve problems. But they generally do all this as loners. Now, new research into a surprisingly social octopus is shattering even the most expansive ideas of known octopus behavior. Katherine Harmon Courage reports. (National Geographic)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140728-social-octopuses-animals-oceans-science-mating/

Octopus protection was a compromise move – Kitsap Sun

Chris Dunagan at the Kitsap Sun blogs that

“The decision to outlaw octopus hunting at seven select diving spots in Puget Sound was a compromise between those who wanted a complete closure throughout Puget Sound and those who wanted no closure at all. Janna Nichols, a leader in the local scuba diving community, told me that nearly all scuba divers who spoke out wanted a complete ban on killing the giant Pacific octopus in Puget Sound. But scientific arguments were presented that the octopus population was healthy and could tolerate a limited harvest.”

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2013/10/12/octopus-protection-was-a-compromise-move/#axzz2hczq2M86

Octopus Hatchings– Diver Laura James

Diver and film maker Laura James captured an octopus hatch on 9/11, http://vimeo.com/74506196#

Katherine Harmon Courage explains in the Octopus Chronicles.

Octopus Babies Hatch By the Thousands, Captured On Video http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/2013/09/19/octopus-babies-hatch-by-the-thousands-captured-on-video-video/

Octopus fishing rules are topic of meeting April 23 in Port Townsend

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday, April 23 in Port Townsend to solicit input on the protection of Puget Sound’s giant Pacific octopus population. The first of two workshops to solicit public input on the issue is set for 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 23 at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St., Port Townsend.

Possible new protections for Octopus in Puget Sound – Ashley Ahern at Earthfix

Right now it’s not illegal to hunt octopus in Puget Sound – unless you’re in a marine preserve or conservation area. In fact, if you have a state fishing license you can kill and harvest one every day. But the killing of a giant Pacific octopus off Alki Beach in Seattle last October prompted a public outcry. Hundreds of scuba divers and members of the public submitted petitions to the state of Washington asking for better protection for the giant Pacific octopus in Puget Sound. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has responded, approving four possible management plans for consideration and public comment. Ashley Ahearn reports.

New Protections Proposed For Octopuses in Puget Sound

http://earthfix.opb.org/flora-and-fauna/article/new-protections-proposed-for-octopuses-in-puget-so/

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