The visually arresting and often misunderstood octopus has long captured popular imagination. With an alien appearance and an uncanny intellect, this exceptional sea creature has inspired fear in famous lore and legends - from the giant octopus attack in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to Ursula the sea witch in "The Little Mermaid." Yet its true nature is more wondrous still. After decades of research, the authors reveal a sensitive, curious, and playful animal with remarkable intelligence, an ability to defend itself with camouflage and jet propulsion, an intricate nervous system, and advanced problem-solving abilities.
In this beautifully photographed book, three leading marine biologists bring readers face to face with these amazingly complex animals that have fascinated scientists for decades. From the molluscan ancestry of today s octopus to its ingenious anatomy, amazing mating and predatory behaviors, and other-worldly relatives, the authors take readers through the astounding life cycle, uncovering the details of distinctive octopus personalities. With personal narratives, underwater research, stunning closeup photography, and thoughtful guidance for keeping octopuses in captivity, "Octopus" is the first comprehensive natural history of this smart denizen of the sea.

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From the top 10 bestselling author of The Cornish Midwife. Two years after losing her husband, Finn, Lexie Turner is still struggling. She knows she needs to move on, but she has no idea where to begin. Packing up her life in London, Lexie heads to the coastal town of Port Kara to spend the summer working out her next move. With only her beloved Labrador for company, it's the perfect place to start again. But life in Port Kara is nothing like Lexie expected! Soon, she finds herself drawn into the close-knit community, unable to hide away. And when she meets local man, Elliott Dorton, Lexie begins to feel her broken heart slowly come back to life... Elliott is kind but adventurous and his job requires him to take risks daily - something Lexie isn't ready to deal with. Can she trust in Elliott and risk her heart breaking a second time, or will their one Cornish summer be all that Lexie can hope for? From Jo Bartlett, the bestselling author of The Cornish Midwives Series, comes another emotional read about second chances and having the courage to grab them with all your heart. Praise for Jo Bartlett: 'I love second chance stories. I love returning home stories. So a book combining both is an absolute winner for me. The Cornish Midwife is simply gorgeous. Stunning setting, wonderful characters, and oozing with warmth. A triumph from Jo Bartlett.' Jessica Redland 'Perfectly written and set in the beating heart of a community, this story is a wonderful slice of Cornish escapism.' Helen J Rolfe

'Heartbreakingly moving and yet beautifully uplifting, I cried for all the right reasons!' Jo Bartlett 'I fell in love with this story from page one.' Helen J Rolfe 'Achingly poignant, yet full of hope - You will fall in love with this beautiful Christmas story' Sandy Barker 'A tender love story, full of sweet touches and beautiful characters.' Beth Moran Welcome to The Starfish Cafe - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships. Two broken hearts. Since she inherited The Starfish Cafe, Hollie has poured her heart into the business, striving to keep her mother's traditions and warm-hearted spirit alive. But behind closed doors Hollie is searching for true happiness as she grieves the tragic loss of her family who were once the beating heart of the cafe... An unexpected meeting. Jake lives by two rules: don't let anyone get close and don't talk about what happened. Little does he know that a chance meeting at The Starfish Cafe, facilitated by a fluffy lost dog, is about to turn his world upside down... The chance to love again. Can Hollie and Jake break down the barriers that have been holding them back from finding love and happiness, before Christmas comes around? After all, with courage, nothing is impossible... Join top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland for a magical winter at the seaside, where love blossoms and lifelong friendships are made. Praise for Jessica Redland: 'I loved my trip to Hedgehog Hollow. An emotional read, full of twists and turns' Heidi Swain 'Jessica Redland writes from the heart, with heart, about heart' Nicola May 'A warm-hearted and beautiful book. Jessica Redland doesn't shy away from the fact that life can be very difficult, but she reminds us that we all can find love, hope and joy again.' Sian O'Gorman 'A wonderful, warm series full of family, friends and romance.' Katie Ginger 'An emotional but uplifting page turner.' Fay Keenan 'A warm hug of a book. I never wanted to leave Hedgehog Hollow. Very highly recommended.' Della Galton

This book seeks to contribute to a better understanding of coastal fisheries in the Latin American and the Caribbean region, as well as to generate discussion about ways to move towards sustainable fisheries. The book includes three main components. First, an introductory chapter provides an overview of general trends in the fisheries of the LAC countries. Second, a set of twelve chapters each reporting on the coastal fisheries of one country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Third, the final component of the book contains a synthesis of information from the countries examined, an analysis of the main issues and challenges faced by the various fisheries, an outline of policy directions to improve fisheries management systems in the LAC region, identification of routes toward more integrated approaches for coastal fisheries management, and recommendations for ways forward in dealing with fishery assessment and governance issues in the region.