For scuba divers off Seattle’s Cove 2, one of the coolest sightings they might fortunate enough to enjoy is that of a giant Pacific octopus, an intelligent and mysterious creature that is a master of disguise.
And apparently, one of the most uncool acts is to capture and kill one of these remarkable creatures at Cove 2, especially while other scuba divers are present.
That’s what Dylan Miller, 19, did during a recent dive, and the episode went viral, with critics surfacing on dive sites, blogs and social media platforms, hammering Miller even though he had a fishing license and did not violate any laws.
Divers were so enraged that they created a petition to “Save the GPO” from being harvested in the region, as the giant Pacific octopus is regarded as an icon of the Pacific Northwest.
The Daily Mail in the U.K. quoted witness Bob Bailey as saying, “It’s just not done. It’s bad form. Even if you can do it, you shouldn’t do it.”
The giant Pacific octopus is the world’s largest octopus. The largest known specimen measured 30 feet across.
The mollusks are known for their ability to change colors and blend with their surroundings, and for their intelligence. Captive specimens have learned to open jars and solve puzzles.
Mayer told the Seattle Times that he punched the giant mollusk because it had wrapped its arms around his mask, nose and mouth. (State law mandates that the only way octopuses can be harvested is by hand, an extreme challenge when that specimen weighs 80 pounds.)
"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill
