Friday Squid Blogging: 20-Foot Squid Caught in the Gulf of Mexico

First one sighted in the Gulf since 1954:

The new specimen, weighing 103 pounds, was found during a preliminary survey of the Gulf during which scientists hope to identify the types of fish and squid that sperm whales feed on.

The squid, like other deep catches, was dead when brought to the surface because the animals can’t survive the rapid changes in water depth as they are hauled in. Scientists at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington are studying the specimen further to determine its exact species.

Giant squid can grow up to 40 feet in length, and because scientists know so little about them, they’re not sure if the Gulf specimen is a full-grown adult, Epperson said.

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Posted on September 25, 2009 at 1:04 PM • 7 Comments

Comments

uk visa • September 25, 2009 3:04 PM

I think it’s very unfortunate when scientists have to kill the thing they’re studying in order to study it.
I’m guessing there aren’t many 20 foot long squid in the seas and now there’s one less – much more (bad) scientific research like this and there won’t be any at all.
We wouldn’t put up with scientists killing tigers to get a better understanding of them; why is it considered acceptable for marine life?

Clive Robinson • September 25, 2009 10:16 PM

In his younger days like many Victorian “Learned Gentelmen” Darwin was fond of eating what he was examining.

In fact it is not clear which activity led to the other 😉

I guess the question is not how much sauce is needed but how many mouths to consume the not so little cook down, at +100lb thats atleast 400 portions…

Now what did I do with that barrel of vino 8)

Nihilus • September 27, 2009 12:53 AM

“I think it’s very unfortunate when scientists have to kill the thing they’re studying in order to study it.
I’m guessing there aren’t many 20 foot long squid in the seas and now there’s one less – much more (bad) scientific research like this and there won’t be any at all.
We wouldn’t put up with scientists killing tigers to get a better understanding of them; why is it considered acceptable for marine life?”

My thoughts exactly. Do people value life only of humans?

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