Giovanni DeGarimore, owner of Giovanni’s Fish Market in Morro Bay, purchased a giant 70 pound octopus from a local fisherman with the sole intention of releasing the massive creature back into the wild. “Fred” is relaxing comfortably at the Morro Bay fish market, getting ready for his trip back to the ocean. 

“I recently stopped selling octopus in my restaurant and on my website because I have taken a stance to no longer support the sale of ANY octopus products,” explains the fish market owner. “Octopus are considered to be one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet, and are capable of having emotions.” 

Gio sells millions of dollars of fish a year, including home delivery across the United States. He’s also an avid scuba diver and has seen many octopus in the wild. That’s where his respect for the creature began. 

“While diving in Fiji I remember playing hide and seek with an octopus, it was an experience I’ll never forget,” Gio said. “Recently I took my respect for the creatures one step further and decided to no longer buy, sell or consume octopus.” “It might not make a difference in the world, but if it makes me happy, and makes Fred happy, then it was worth it.” 

While it might seem strange, the whole city of Morro Bay thinks Fred and Gio are both pretty cool. Morro Bay Califorina is known for its small commercial fishing fleet that focuses on sustainably caught local seafood, one of the few small community fishing fleets still operating on the Pacific Coast. Follow Fred’s adventure on the restaurant’s Facebook page and watch Fred being released back into the wild on May 17, 2018. 

About Giovanni’s Fish Market 
1001 Front Street 
Morro Bay, CA, 93442 
(805) 772-2123 www.GiovannisFish.com 
Giovanni’s Fish Market has been family owned and operated in Morro Bay for over 25 years and has a great reputation in the community. Giovanni’s features local and imported fish on their menu. Choose from a wide variety of grilled and deep-fried fish and shellfish, as well as award winning chowder, and Mexican seafood dishes, weekly specials and more! 

For more information on Morro Bay, visit www.morrobay.org or follow Morro Bay on its Facebook page.