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Octopus
Hole Conservation Area
WAC
220-16-550: " 'Octopus Hole Conservation Area' is defined
as those waters, tidelands, and bedlands of Hood Canal within a
line projected due east from the western shore of Hood Canal on
latitude 47° 27' 01" N for 200 yards, thence
southerly 628 yards parallel to the high water mark to latitude
47° 26' 40" N, thence due west to shore. Effective
since 5/1/2004.
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| CLICK
IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP
 
(Note: this is
the same map as used for the Sund Rock CA)
Geographic
Statistics
| Area
Type |
Acres |
Hectares |
| Intertidal |
None |
None |
| Subtidal |
32.59 |
13.19 |
| Total |
32.59 |
13.19 |
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Links
to other imagery about this site
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A
view of the northern end of the area, taken from shore due
west of the area's northern edge and facing SE.
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| Recreational
Restrictions / Openings |
| Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Closed |
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| Trout |
Closed |
|
| Bottomfish |
Closed |
|
| Shellfish |
Closed |
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| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Commercial
Restrictions / Openings |
Species |
Status |
Comments,
notes... |
| Salmon |
Closed |
|
| Bottomfish |
Closed |
|
| Shellfish |
Closed |
|
| Forage
Fish |
Closed |
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| Unclassified |
Closed |
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| Prominent
and unique features |
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The Octopus Hole Conservation Area is one of three marine
reserves protecting rare rocky habitat in southern Hood
Canal. Unlike the surrounding mud and sand habitat of
the steep-walled fjord, Octopus Hole contains a subtidal
bedrock outcropping that extends from the northern perimeter
of the reserve south several hundred meters and outside
of the reserve boundary. The rock habitat extends from
as shallow as 15 feet (mllw) to as deep as 65 feet. Much
of the habitat is simple in complexity but in a number
of places, fissures, boulders, and ridges provide crevices
for a variety of marine life to hide in. Much of the habitat
is covered in bladed kelps such as Laminaria saccharina
and foliose red algae to a depth of 30 feet.
The shoreline, which is not part of
the reserve, consists of a mixture of gravel, pebbles,
cobble, and boulders. These substrates continue into
the intertidal zone but then give way to finer sediments
such as sand and mud. |
| Description
of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site |
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Copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus) is the dominant
fish species inside the Octopus Hole Conservation Area
followed by striped seaperch (Embitoca lateralis)
and pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca). Other fish
species that are common at the site include lingcod (Ophiodon
elongatus), wolfeel (Anarrichthys ocellatus),
blackeye goby (Coryphopterus nicholsii), quillback
rockfish (S. maliger), and painted greenling (Oxylebius
pictus).
As the name implies, giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus
dofleini) can be frequently observed at the Octopus
Hole Conservation Area. They are frequently observed
in dens made in the fissures of the bedrock or in cavities
in the mud made below solitary boulders. During the
fall, divers can observe individual octopuses guarding
egg masses deposited on the ceilings of octopus dens.
Other predominant invertebrates at the site include
red sea cucumbers (Parastichopus califorinicus),
red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus),
sunflower seastars (Pycnopodia helianthoides),
and orange sea cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata).
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are commonly observed
at the site. Seabirds including pigeon guillemots (Cepphus
columba) and commorants can be observed at the site.
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| Programs
in place to manage the site |
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WDFW regulations prohibit recreational and commercial
fishing at the Octopus Hole Conservation Area, and WDFW
manages the site as fully-protected marine reserve for
non-tribal citizens. The taking of all species of invertebrates
and fishes is prohibited by WDFW regulations.
Volunteer efforts are very important at this site. An
active dive community uses the site with some people
diving it regularly on a weekly basis. The volunteers
have provided signage and onsite observations of activities
in the site. They have contacted WDFW regarding potential
problems and changes at the site.
The public upland access to the site is from the highway
right-of-way where it extends into the intertidal.
The enforcement of the harvest restrictions is relegated
to the Enforcement Program of WDFW. Information on the
site boundaries and restrictions is found in WDFW's
Sport Fishing Pamphlet and formal regulations are published
at the State of Washington's Administrative Code available
on the state's web site. The site is marked on shore
by prominent signs developed and maintained by the recreational
diving community. In addition, WDFW is developing specific
pamphlets describing each of its marine reserves.
WDWF scientists include the Octopus Hole Conservation
Area in their marine reserve monitoring efforts. The
site is visited several times per year when the scientists
perform a census of the fish living on the two southern
rocky habitats. During these surveys, all fish are identified,
counted, and measured. The areas of the rocky habitats
have been measured so fish densities can be assessed
and compared to previous surveys or other areas. |
| Issues
of concern |
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The southern end of Hood Canal has been subject to low
dissolved oxygen events. In 2002, the dissolved oxygen
content decreased to very low levels that were incapable
of supporting many forms of marine life. Sessile organisms
died and mobile organisms underwent major behavioral changes
at a number of sites including Octopus Hole. Volunteers
notified WDFW and department divers surveyed the lower
Canal to determine the extent of the problem. The Washington
Department of Ecology is investigating the contributing
factors (oceanography, enrichment of southern Hood Canal,
weather patterns, etc.) to the low dissolved oxygen event
and indications are this phenomenon may be a periodic
event plaguing the waters of southern Hood Canal.
The uplands bordering the reserve are in private ownership.
When the reserve was created a 100-foot zone was created
offshore of the ordinary high water mark in order to
allow for harvesting activities by the landowners. This
was publicized in local papers, and fishers (not necessarily
the landowners or their guests) were fishing the perimeter
of the conservation area. The site was modified to include
all waters from the outboard line to high tide in 2004.
Members of the Skokomish Tribe actively fish the shores
and waters of southern Hood Canal. Occasionally, these
treaty fishers will use gill nets that drift through
the reserve or are anchored from the reserve's shore.
These and other fishing activities are guaranteed by
court mandates and there has been no cooperative agreement
between state and tribal managers to limit tribal fishing
in the marine reserves in southern Hood Canal. |
| Performance
measures |
| The
number of divers and volunteers who visit and work at
the site.
The
continued presence of a diverse fish community.
Increasing
or sustained abundances of copper rockfish.
Increasing
and sustained large individual sizes of copper rockfish. |
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