Handling octopuses?

[scubadada]

There was a recent trip report on Undercurrent describing the handling of an octopus by the guide on a dive in Kauai. I have witnessed this same behavior by some of the operators I have used in Maui and Oahu.

Is this a common practice or unusual? I would be interested in hearing experiences and attitudes toward this practice by both visitors and locals. Thanks.

 

[GAFUN]

There was a recent trip report on Undercurrent describing the handling of an octopus by the guide on a dive in Kauai. I have witnessed this same behavior by some of the operators I have used in Maui and Oahu.

Is this a common practice or unusual? I would be interested in hearing experiences and attitudes toward this practice by both visitors and locals. Thanks.

A couple of years ago on the big island, one of the divemasters handled an Octopus In my opinion, divers should leave everything alone and not touch anything.

Russ

 

[FiddlerOnTheRoof]

A second the above post +1

 

[jfe]

A good friend of mine had an octo stuck to her mask and side of her head. It was delightfull to everyone else and a good story to tell but at her own admittance she was terrified. Personaly I avoid handeling sealife, I only admire.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[boulderjohn]

The last time I was in Hawai'i, which was about 5 years ago, I planned a week of diving with a dive operation. On the first day I was with them, the DM pulled an octopus out of its hole to show us his prize, amid an explosion of black ink. I let my displeasure be known, and I switched to a different operator for the rest of the week.

 

[scubadada]

The last time I was in Hawai'i, which was about 5 years ago, I planned a week of diving with a dive operation. On the first day I was with them, the DM pulled an octopus out of its hole to show us his prize, amid an explosion of black ink. I let my displeasure be known, and I switched to a different operator for the rest of the week.

That was my reaction, exactly

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There was a shop next to the boat launch where they do the Manta Night Dive. When planning my first trip to Hawaii I ordered a VHS tape from them. If I went with them the cost of the tape would be deducted from the trip cost. In the video they pulled a moray eel out of its den and had everyone "pet" it. They caught a small octopus and made it ink several times while handing it off to other divers. Needless to say, I went with Kona Coast Divers instead.

 

[drrich2]

Interesting. Octopi have beaks and from what I understand a powerful bite. I don't know how big an octopus it takes to get a grip on a person so as to do some damage. Are they not prone to bite when provoked?

Richard.

 

[choiahoy]

A second the above post +1

+2

I've seen way too many Hawaii diving videos on YouTube where a DM is touching the sea life.

 

[lemke]

Octopi do indeed bite! They make nice oval shaped holes in your wetsuit.