By Kiersten Throndsen Oct 3, 2013
SEATTLE – A new rule making it illegal to hunt and kill giant Pacific octopuses at more than a dozen Puget Sound dive sites takes effect this weekend.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says the new rule provides more protection for the species and comes nearly a year after a scuba diver legally captured and killed one off Alki Point in West Seattle. That incident sparked a huge public outcry – prompting the WDFW to consider new harvesting regulations.
This past summer, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to ban all recreational harvesting of giant Pacific octopuses at the following seven sites:
- Deception Pass north of Oak Harbor
- Seacrest Park Coves 1, 2 and 3 near Alki Point in West Seattle
- Alki Beach Junk Yard in West Seattle
- Three Tree Point in Burien
- Redondo Beach in Des Moines
- Les Davis Marine Park adjacent to the Les Davis Fishing Pier in Tacoma
- Days Island Wall in Tacoma
The rule takes effect Oct. 6
Exposing the Big Game 
Here’s proof that the power of public outcry can shut down a hunt.
Good news for change…but never enough for all Animals!
Yes, good news is sure nice for a change.
This is only proof that since there are no cattlemen, deer, or elk in Puget Sound, a public outcry can be heard as the special-interest filters are not in effect. The same outcry regarding hunting of apex-predators falls on deaf ears–ears so deafened that the best science can be ignored.
It’s interesting that part of the stated reason to ban some areas was because they are world-class diving spots, and the Commission didn’t want to kibosh tourist dollars. … Let me see, $3.56 Million spent in Washington State for hunting, $3.2 Billion for wildlife watching…why is an Octopoda outcry treated better than a public outcry for Carnivora?
Cannot believe humans will be such barbarians to all creatures it’s just awefull 😦
Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog.
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