While all sorts of situations are "possible" it is most likely that octopus breed in the spring, and lay eggs in the late fall. Most all octopus I've seen on eggs, and most we've had lay eggs while in our tanks were somewhere around the month of August-ish. I don't think a seasonal restriction would be that hard to time, given the minimal harvest of GPO as it is (and the history of seasonal restrictions on fisheries in WA). The problem I see with this idea is that after breeding, many males go through a period of "senescence" - a biologically planned death where they essentially wander around and stop eating until they starve or are eaten by predators. This makes these males excellent candidates for harvest, since they are already "sentenced" to die, and easy to catch. Any reasonably moral hunter will not take an animal who is rearing young in the first place, though perhaps a regulation stating this would not be out of line.ScubaSamHam wrote:"Giant Pacific octopuses breed throughout the year, though spawning peaks in winter. Males may breed with several females, but females mate only once in their lifetime. Over several days, females lay 20,000 to 100,000 rice-shaped eggs (avg. 50,000) in grape-like clusters of 200 to 300 eggs each. These clusters are hung from the ceiling of the den. Females remain with the eggs throughout the entire brooding period, guarding them from predators and using her syphon to aerate and clean the clusters. Hatching can take anywhere from 150 days to almost 1 year depending on water temperature. Cooler temperatures delay the development of the embryo and therefore lengthen incubation time. (Anderson, et al., 2002; High, 1976; Kubodera, 1991; "North Pacific giant octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)", 2010)"pensacoladiver wrote:
Do the GPO spawn throughout the year or only during a certain time? It would be impossible to enforce a law stating an octo cant be taken while on eggs. However, if they spawn during a certain time, then closure might be a "reasonable" option.
So, while there is a peak spawning (mating) season per se, the egg-bearing stage is not seasonal, and could last a whole year (so, octopus mamas anywhere could be on eggs anytime)... therefore, unless its possible to tell if a female has layed eggs in the past by simple visual cues, or if the females show signs of recent egg bearing (doubtful, hard to confirm once captured), then NO. seasonal spawning closures would not work.
I think the solution, as many have pointed out, is to get no underwater take of octos. There is existing policy for this sort of fishing restriction (only on snorkel, and far from the coast) in Bermuda. Although this is the reverse - everything except scuba allowed - it is possible and may offer clues.
THANK YOU for closing the previous thread. and THANK YOU for continuing your concerted efforts. I will contact you, Lundy, to offer my assistance.
I struggle with the rush to ban or limit GPO harvest overall. I would not personally harvest a GPO, and I've gone so far as to ask any hunters I am with not to do so while I am diving with them (all were very receptive and respectful to this, much to their credit) but the GPO fishery is not in any danger - it's a very productive fishery in fact. 1 per day is a very liberal limit, yes, but it's also quite simple; requiring a weekly or monthly limit becomes harder to enforce and track. Furthermore, I know of few people who routinely hit this limit. And I do not think public sentiment will be in our favor - remember, we see these creatures in their natural environment often, but there are still many who view them as nothing but food, or as "horrifying sea beasts" that deserve to be conquered. Restrict the top few dive sites, yes...but be careful about limiting the overall harvest.