Whats your take on this story?

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/40201/divers+capture+of+a+beloved+giant+pacific+octopus+sparks+outrage/

looks like we have our next head of the CA DFG.   

its legal...albeit kinda dickish to do it in front of a bunch of divers looking at wildlife

I read that story earlier, and I can see both sides of it.

 I can see why it would PO the locals. It pays to learn about the local vibes where ever you are fishing. Those octopus don't move around much, and I know I read an article about dive groups visiting a specific one many times throughout the year, and filming her give birth to a gazillion little octopi. 

I think the diver ought to perhaps stick to smaller octopus for food.

Myself, I think octopi taste good, but to me I just have trouble eating something that may be as smart as I am so I don't keep them these days (unless they are gifted by a lingcod, then it is bait at will!).

Maybe PETA will erect a sign there reading 'an octupi was killed here'

I would take one legaly but not that big. I grabbed A three footer and it grabbed me back. Didnt like that feeling. If there were lots of peta like people around I would do soo discretly.

I understand both sides of the story, but the people harassing the kid need to find another octopus to observe.  They only live 3-5 years and females lay up to 100,000 eggs then guard them.  The female doesn't eat while guarding and raising the eggs thus she dies shortly after caring for the eggs.  I see no harm unless it was a female raising babies.

The vibe amongst most scuba divers is not something that I care too appease or maintain.  For the most part, non consumptive divers look down on any take cause it just means less for them to look at.  I could care less what they think.

And the notion of them having a pet octopus is pretty ridiculous.  They probably did more harm than good by acclimating it to human presence. 

I commend him on an epic catch, that's a huge puss, and would add an additional high five for telling them he's gonna go back and get another the next day. 

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its legal...albeit kinda dickish to do it in front of a bunch of divers looking at wildlife

Yeah but how sweet would it be to have vid of you going to battle with a monster octopus.  I'd prefer to have them present. 



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its legal...albeit kinda dickish to do it in front of a bunch of divers looking at wildlife

Yeah but how sweet would it be to have vid of you going to battle with a monster octopus.  I'd prefer to have them present. 



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Oh am not saying I wouldn't want to watch. But you should expect or not be surprised (right or wrong) to get some shit for it. Was he free diving or scuba? If free diving I am guessing that thing may make getting to the surface pretty dang hard

Catch it, eat it, food is food... I'd a told them all to kick rocks too!

He's got tanks in the bed of his truck.  Still awesome. 


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The last line in the artical says it all for me-


But, he added: "If people feel this strongly about it they obviously need to voice it and a sign needs to go up and make it a park. But I don't think all of Puget Sound should be off-limits. That is like saying you like deer so there should be no hunting, or you like cows, so there should be no meat."

where is Ariel from shelter a few yrs back.....disassembling one from the inside of his yak!

Maybe the octo-skin can be used for contraception?

If you are interested and have some time to kill, read this forum thread.  It involves the divers that confronted the kid, and shows how they have basically destroyed his life.  Yes, over the LEGAL take of an octopus.

http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19454

Of course this following law exists in WA.

RCW 77.15.210
Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of obstructing the taking of fish[, shellfish,] or wildlife if the person:

     (a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish, shellfish, or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or

     (b) Harasses, intimidates, or interferes with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife or lawful predator control with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof.

     (2) Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife is a gross misdemeanor.

     (3) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife that the person charged was:

     (a) Interfering with a person engaged in hunting outside the legally established hunting season; or

     (b) Preventing or attempting to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property.

     (4) The person raising a defense under subsection (3) of this section has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

They've broken this law multiple times already, from the moment they approached him on the beach, continuing through the stalking behavior.

It's really quite sad.  At the same time, those damn over zealous dive nazis are also trying to run fisherman off some prime areas, including one of the few ocean access areas that is kayak friendly.  The battle is never ending.

-Allen