A POPULAR yet controversial event has been given the flick as the team behind Port MacDonnell’s 2019 Bay Escape make a decision to “move with the times”.
The famous octopus toss event, which saw competitors throw a thawed-out octopus as far as they could, drew thousands of spectators annually to the long-running summer festival at Port Macdonnell.
Bay Escape event coordinator Ryan Donovan said the committee had carefully considered recent feedback and decided it was time to toss the toss.
“The public have spoken and we have listened,” he said.
“The octopus toss might have been popular for many years but it is outdated and no longer appropriate or ethical to have an event of this type.
“It is a decision which we believe reflects the majority view of the community and we are happy to respect their wishes.”
The competition has been a festival feature for more than 20 years, as a nod to Port Macdonnell’s tight-knit community of professional rock lobster fishermen.
Considered a pest by fishermen, the octopus are often hauled up inside crayfish pots, killing the crayfish inside.
Mr Donovan said the committee had briefly considered the idea of sourcing a fake octopus, similar to the plastic tuna now used in Port Lincoln’s Tunarama famous Tuna Toss.
“We decided a plastic octopus just would not cut it,” he said.
“The 2019 event is having a major shake-up and moving onto bigger and better things.
“It is time to give the flick to those events that have run their course.”
With a strong focus on food and wine this year, Mr Donovan said the committee was set on bringing a new vibe to the long-running festival.
“Port MacDonnell is known as the Southern Rock Lobster capital of Australia so we’re capitalising on that,” he said.
“We have got fresh seafood on offer and also Jay the Cray – our dancing mascot this year and believe me, he will be more than enough to grab the attention of the crowd.”
Held from 11am to 6pm on February 23, the event will showcase a day of family-fun at the Port MacDonnell sea parade.
