Washington Panel Extends Octopus Protection and Restricts Hunting in Puget Sound

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission recently extended protection for the Pacific octopuses in Puget Sound by prohibiting recreational hunting of the giant octopuses at seven scuba diving sites.

The commission, which is made up of a nine member citizen panel, set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The commission adopted the 2013-2014 hunting seasons for migratory waterfowl and also sanctioned various land acquisitions intended to conserve fish and wildlife habitat.  

"Washington is an important dive location, and protection of the octopus is important both to the dive community and to the economy of the state," said Commissioner Conrad Mahnken of Bainbridge Island. "Washington state is the fourth most popular dive location in the U.S. and the only northern state in the top 10."

The review on octopus hunting was made after a gruesome incident took place in which a diver was seen killing a giant Pacific octopus near the Alki Point in Seattle. This bloody scene was witnessed by a diving instructor.  This incident led to the ban of recreational hunting from seven  scuba diving sites from Whidbey Island to Tacoma.

Images of the ghastly killing went viral and raised a huge outcry among other divers who later sent a petition to the panel to restrict octopus hunting and extend protection for the giant elusive creature, reported the Associated Press.

The commission worked with a 12-member citizen advisory that included members of the sport fishing and diving communities. They developed alternatives varying from nil changes in the rules to declaring a ban against recreational harvest of the octopuses throughout Puget Sound, according to press release.

Craig Burley, WDFW Fish Management Program Manager, said, "Many sportfishers preferred the status quo, while many divers favored a Puget Sound-wide ban. The octopus population in the Sound appears to be healthy and that the current recreational harvest is very small."