Most adult octopuses and squid die after reproducing. Their bodies are recycled in the food web, nourishing other animals, and ultimately providing food for their young when they hatch. Most poisons produced by octopuses and squids are too weak to harm humans. The blue ringed octopus is an exception. This Australian native produces enough poison to paralyze and kill a human.
Black pasta is coloured using squid ink.
Greek restaurants sometimes serve pickled octopus, called octopothi. Fishers trawl for octopuses using weighted chains that drag along the ocean floor, scaring the octopuses into a net. Another method involves lowering traps and pots which octopuses will use as shelters. Spear fishing and drift fishing are also practiced. Drift fishing involves lowering lines baited with crab.