2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration
(EX2301)
Eight Octopus Videos to Make Your Day
Sometimes, we can go an entire expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer without seeing a single octopus. Thankfully, this has not been the case for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. In celebration, we bring to you a collection of eight videos of these charismatic animals seen throughout the expedition. Enjoy!
#1: The First Encounter
Our first encounter with an octopus during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition took place on Dive 04 at a depth of 2,405 meters (1.5 miles). Identified as Graneledone boreopacifica, this deep-sea octopod was not in a hurry as it slowly made its way across the seafloor at a "Trinidad Slump" off the coast of Oregon. This species has been observed by scientists at MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) brooding their eggs for 4.5 years — longer than any other known animal. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 50.9 MB)
#2: A Quick Getaway
At a depth of 2,395 meters (1.5 miles), we had our second Graneledone boreopacifica octopus sighting of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, also during Dive 04. Unlike the earlier encounter, where the octopus was observed ambling across the seafloor, this octopus swam up into the water column, making a quick getaway from the remotely operated vehicle. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 33.1 MB)
#3: Extreme Close Up
Graneledone boreopacifica observation #3 of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition took place during Dive 04 at 2,312 meters (1.4 miles) depth.
As the main objective of this dive was to "shake down" systems on the remotely operated vehicles (ROV), this charismatic animal was an excellent subject for testing the zoom capabilities of ROV Deep Discoverer. The ability to capture high-definition video is the main capability of Deep Discoverer, with the vehicle’s primary camera able to zoom in on a 3-inch long organism from 10 feet away. And indeed, we were treated to some amazing views of this octopus, including a look at the animal’s siphon, which is a tubular opening that serves as a pathway for water. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 58.6 MB)
#4: In the Still of the Moment
In the final moments of the fourth dive of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration remotely operated vehicle pilots paused just long enough to get footage of this very still octopus, resting on the seafloor at a depth of 2,313 meters (1.4 miles). Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 38.5 MB)
#5: On a Mission
For octopus encounter #5 of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, we have an octopus that was seen making its way along the seafloor at Astoria Canyon off the coast of northern Oregon at a depth of 2,530 meters (8,300 feet) during Dive 06. If you look closely, you’ll see that the octopus appears to have lost the tip of one of its arms – though that doesn’t seem to be slowing it down! Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 53 MB)
#6: Unimpressed
At a depth of 1,650 meters (5,414 feet), during the seventh dive of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, we came upon this deep-sea octopus in the genus Muusoctopus. It didn’t seem too bothered or impressed by the presence of remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer, but if you look closely at the seafloor around it, you’ll notice several brittle stars who had other ideas and are on the move! Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 43.5 MB)
#7: Teeny Tiny Octopus
This little octopus measured only about 10 centimeters (4 inches) across! Notice how it is dwarfed by the beautiful bubblegum coral as it makes its way along a ledge on a rocky outcrop! Seen at a depth of 1,612 meters (5,289 feet) during Dive 07 of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 43.5 MB)
#8: Perfectly Framed
Observed at a depth of 1,598 meters (5,243 feet), the arms of this octopus in the genus Muusoctopus framed it perfectly for the shot. Seen on the side of a canyon wall during the seventh dive of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 44 MB)
Published April 27, 2023