New Zealand Fishermen Catch Rare Squid

[wes mantooth]

http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/science/2007/02/22/1210806/NZL80102220629_New_Zealand_Giant_Squid.sff-434x512.jpg

http://www.wral.com/news/science/story/1210806/

New Zealand Fishermen Catch Rare Squid

By RAY LILLEY
Posted: Today at 4:26 a.m.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A fishing crew has caught a colossal squid that could weigh a half-ton and prove to be the biggest specimen ever landed, a fisheries official said Thursday.

The squid, weighing an estimated 990 lbs and about 39 feet long, took two hours to land in Antarctic waters, New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said.

The fishermen were catching Patagonian toothfish, sold under the name Chilean sea bass, south of New Zealand "and the squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep," Anderton said.

The fishing crew and a fisheries official on board their ship estimated the length and weight of the squid: Detailed, official measurements have not been made. The date when the colossus was caught also was not disclosed.

Colossal squid, known by the scientific name Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, are estimated to grow up to 46 feet long and have long been one of the most mysterious creatures of the deep ocean.

If original estimates are correct, the squid would be 330 pounds heavier than the next biggest specimen ever found.

"I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing," said Dr. Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at the Auckland University of Technology. If calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires, he added.

Colossal squid can descend to 6,500 feet and are extremely active, aggressive hunters, he said.

The frozen squid will be transported to New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, in the capital, Wellington, to be preserved for scientific study.

Marine scientists "will be very interested in this amazing creature as it adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment," Anderton said.

Colossal squid are found in Antarctic waters and are not related to giant squid found round the coast of New Zealand. Giant squid grow up to 39 feet long, but are not as heavy as colossal squid.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.


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[Motor Head]

Hmmmm, I'd still hit it.

[favourite]

mMMmMMmm rare squid my favourite.

[Budyzir]

.... If calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires .....

Wow, that would need a lot of "Marinnnnaaaara" sauce!

[MJMANDALAY]

Colossal squid may be headed for oven
Thu Mar 22, 2007



WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A colossal half-ton squid, believed to be the largest ever caught, may be destined for the microwave oven.

But researchers say they don't want to cook the massive creature — just defrost it so they can study it better.

Scientists at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, have taken possession of the beast that took fishermen two hours to land after it was netted by chance in Antarctic waters last month and was frozen soon afterward to preserve it.

Expert Steve O'Shea said the squid had weighed in at 1,089 pounds and measured 33 feet long — heavier but shorter than initial estimates of 990 lbs and 39 feet.

It appears to be by far the largest specimen of the rare and mysterious deep-water species Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, or colossal squid, ever caught.

Experts say the creatures, which have long been one of the most mysterious denizens of the deep ocean, may grow even bigger — up to 46 feet long.

O'Shea said scientists at the museum are considering using a giant microwave oven as a possible way to defrost the animal so they can study it.

The mammoth squid could not be left to defrost at room temperature because the process would take days, leaving the outside to rot while the core remained frozen, he said.

"There are certain microwave equivalents that are used by industry, for treating timber and the like, that we could probably fit this thing into," O'Shea said. "But that is just one option."

At the time it was caught, O'Shea said it would make calamari rings the size of tractor tyres if cut up — but they would taste like ammonia.

Colossal squid can descend to 6,500 feet and are known to be extremely active, aggressive hunters.

O'Shea said the squid is priceless to scientists, and would be worth many millions of dollars if insured.

[BCH]

Yes, the elusive Colossal Squid. Not to be confused with the Giant Squid nor it's lesser known cousin the Really Really Big Squid.