New Zealand fishermen have caught what is expected to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid. Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 450kg (990lb), took two hours to land in Antarctic waters.
Local news said the Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was about 10m (33ft) long, and was the first adult colossal squid landed intact.
One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres.
'I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing,' Steve O'Shea from Auckland's University of Technology told local media.
The squid took about two hours to land
Colossal squid, which are found deep in Antarctic waters, are thought to be about the same length as giant squid (Architeutis dux) but are much heavier.
The species was first identified in 1925, but very few specimens have been found.
The first specimen recovered intact, a 150kg (330lb) immature female, was caught on the surface in the Ross Sea near the Antarctic coast in April 2004."
(Octopunk) I imagine this is the kind of thing that Fisheries Ministers dream of. I'm also delighted that "Colossal" is part of the thing's actual name and not headline hyperbole. Science!
"Eeew! I mean: cooool! No, wait!...eeeww!"
2 Comments -
I'm with you on the whole, EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
"One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres."
Damn, that's good eatin'!
February 22, 2007 9:24 AM
When are they going to catch a Colossal Lobster?
February 22, 2007 10:24 AM