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No mother could give more

Sunshine Coast Natural History Society
octopus
Jim Cosgrove is an expert on the giant Pacific octopus.

Jim Cosgrove will give an illustrated presentation about the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) to the Sunshine Coast Natural History Society, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at the Arts Centre in Sechelt. The title of the presentation is No Mother Could Give More. It will cover some aspects of the general biology, behaviour and reproduction of the giant Pacific octopus. Through the use of photographs, sound recordings and a 10-minute video, you will get a sense about the life of this very interesting creature.

After obtaining a Bachelor and Master of Science degree (Marine Biology), Cosgrove worked for 10 years in the Biology Department of a community college before moving, in 1987, to a new position at the Royal British Columbia Museum, He retired as the manager of the Natural History Section in May, 2007. He also served for 30 years as the Diving Safety Officer at the University of Victoria and is a founding member of the Canadian Association for Underwater Science.

A scuba diver for more than 53 years and a certified diving instructor since 1971, Cosgrove has long been interested in the plants and animals of the ocean. He became an accomplished underwater photographer and videographer. With his wife Jeanne, he owned and operated J & J Divers from 1971 to 2003, a company devoted to assisting underwater image makers. In addition, they have been involved in numerous projects producing documentary television programs as well as scientific and popular articles about the giant Pacific octopus and other British Columbia marine life.

Since retirement Cos-grove has co-authored a book entitled Super Suckers, about the giant Pacific octopus. He now spends his summers as the biologist and trainer of a whale watching company and his winters travelling to warm water destinations. Cosgrove lives in Victoria.

Refreshments will be served at the Dec. 2 meeting. New members welcome.