Old 02-22-2007, 11:55 AM   #1
Bite me
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ocean City & Cape May, NJ
Posts: 223
Credits: 1,255.6
Occupation: firefighter / Charter Captain
Giant Squid

Check this out this 39 ft 900 + pound squid:
1_62_022107_squid1.jpg

0_61_022207_giant_squid.jpg

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A New Zealand fishing crew has caught an adult colossal squid, a sea creature with eyes as big as dinner plates and razor-sharp hooks on its tentacles, an official said Thursday.
New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 990 pounds, took two hours to land in Antarctic waters.
The fishermen were catching Patagonian toothfish south of New Zealand "and the squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep," he said.
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.
Experts have not yet examined the squid, but if original estimates are correct it is about 330 pounds heavier than the next biggest specimen ever found.
The first specimen of a colossal squid, a 330-pound immature female, was caught on the surface in the Ross Sea near the Antarctic coast in April 2004.
Steve O'Shea, a squid expert at the Auckland University of Technology, said the latest specimen eclipsed that find and scientists would be very excited.


"I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing," he said.
If calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires, he added.
The animal can move through the water to a depth of 6,500 feet and is extremely active and an aggressive killer, he said.
The frozen squid is to 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 (Architeuthis species) found around the coast of New Zealand. Giant squid grow up to 39 feet, but are not as heavy.

Last edited by Jer; 02-22-2007 at 12:42 PM.
WaveWalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2007, 12:33 PM   #2
Hardcore fishacholic
 
Kodi's_Options's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 84
Credits: 1,249.7
If they catch 8 more then can make a huge spreader bar out of them. Just think of the bluefin you could catch on the chunk.
__________________

Kodi's Options
32 Boston Whaler
Margate, NJ
Kodi's_Options is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2007, 01:54 PM   #3
I think Admin is going to let me have this space
 
O-SEA-D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Newport, NC
Posts: 2,896
Credits: 1,632.1
Boat: 2000 26 Hydra Sports
Home Port: MHC, NC
Occupation: Telecomm Technician, Freelance Mate
WOW

Think of all the Black Bass you could catch with that squid. LOL
__________________
Offshore Innovations
Draggin Eyes Lures
SQUIDNATION
THERMZ Performance Wear


John McGinty
O-SEA-D
26' Hydra Sports
O-SEA-D is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2007, 02:08 PM   #4
I practice safe fishing
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 66
Credits: 1,313.0
A teaser chain of those would weigh more then my boat!
Neurodic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2007, 05:15 PM   #5
Bite me
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ocean City & Cape May, NJ
Posts: 223
Credits: 1,255.6
Occupation: firefighter / Charter Captain
The spreader bar comment made me laugh so hard I spit up the soda i was drinking.
WaveWalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2007, 08:06 PM   #6
Sail boats suck
 
capt stabin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 6
Credits: 1,212.0
CALAMARI ANYONE ?
capt stabin is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:16 AM.