California fish market buys big octopus but returns it to ocean

Giovanni’s Fish Market in Morro Bay, Calif., makes its money by selling seafood, but owner Giovanni DeGarimore made news this month when he bought a 70-pound octopus — and set it free.

DeGarimore told the Tribune of San Luis Obispo that he’s had a change of heart about selling or consuming octopus after learning about their intelligence and an experience he had playing hide-and-seek with one while scuba diving in Fiji.

So when his dock manager called last week to say a local fisherman was selling an octopus that had been caught in a crab trap, DeGarimore couldn’t bear the thought of it being cut up.

He says he bought the octopus, named it Fred and temporarily kept it in a tank at his market, then released it.