Octopuses in danger

In the Feb. 15 Seattle Times weekend section, a delightful article was written about the upcoming octopus week at the Seattle Aquarium [“Octopus couple on display before release for mating,” WeekendPlus].

The writer, however, neglected to mention the life or death situation that currently exists for these amazing, highly intelligent creatures.

A recent report from the Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that these giant octopuses may be “harvested” (their term) by scuba divers plucking them from their caves at a legal rate of one a day per person.

When I was watching Rain and Squirt in their tank performing by changing color, a docent told me they are the only non-mammal the aquarium gives names to, since they are so smart.

Currently, work is under way by the Department Fish and Wildlife to form a panel to change this dire situation.

When these two octopuses are returned to the wild, which will be soon, I hope and pray they are not “harvested” and end up on someone’s backyard barbecue. Please visit them during octopus week while they are safe — for now.

--Karoline Morrison, Seattle