OCTOPUS IN HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 8

OCTOPUS IN HARBOUR.

FISHERMAN'S QUEER CATCH. TENACIOUS HOLD ON DINGHY. A small octopus, with tcntaclc.s about 18in. long, was caught from a dinghy in tho harbour midway between North Head and Orakei yesterday morning. It was foul-hooked in the body by Mr. E. W. Daniels, of Stanley Bay, who was fishing for schnapper with Mr. J. McGrane, also of Stanley Bay. No difficulty was experienced in bringing the queer catch to the surface, but it was impossible to .lift# tho octopus into the boat. As it geared the vessel it squirted the occupants, first with sea water several times and then with sepia, the inky fluid the octopus uses as a defensive measure when attacked. Tho octopus showed astonishing accuracy, and Mr. Daniels was forced to desist from his efforts temporarily, as his clotliMig was becoming liberally splashed with the brownish-black liquid. After several fruitless attempts had been made to raise tho octopus by means of an oar it clung tenaciously to the bottom ot tho boat. Tho octopus was made secure with another hooked line and rope. There it remained for tho rest of tho day, and showed no inclination to leave tho boat even when sail was set for Stanley Bay in tho evening. Tho octopus was still clinging to tho boat after Stanley Bay was reached. ill - . Daniels, who fishes in tho harbour frequently, has caught stingrays and eels on occasions, but has never before captured an octopus. Yesterday's catch comprised 13 schnapper, but they were of comparatively small size. Last season Mr. Daniels' boat secured 843 fish in all. Yesterday's excursion was the first this season. By a coincidence jellyfish were uncommonly plentiful in tho harbour yesterday. Small boys at Stanley Bay were seen with specimens nearly Ift. across. Bathers at Stanley Bay at the week-end were also somewhat hampered by the presence of jellyfish.