Cthulhu is come! (Or a 'colossal squid?)

Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:43 pm

Linkage

NZ fishermen land colossal squid

The squid took about two hours to land

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 could be the largest ever found

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.

'Nearly dead'

Mr Anderton said the fishermen had been fishing for Patagonian toothfish in deep Antarctic waters when the squid - which was eating a toothfish - was caught.

"The squid was almost dead when it reached the surface, and the careful work of the crew was paramount in getting this specimen aboard in good condition," he said.

The squid was frozen in the ship's hull and brought back to New Zealand for scientific examination.

"The colossal squid has just arrived in New Zealand and it is likely that it is the first intact adult male colossal squid to ever be successfully landed," Mr Anderton said.

I like how the Colossal squid is smaller than the giant squid...

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:00 am

I hope it was DEAD BEFORE THEY FROZE IT.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:58 am

I had to do a triple take for the title you gave. Good choice of wording.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:27 am

Quick! To the Lovecraft cave!

...That was random.

It's too bad they didn't capture it alive - the research capabilities are further dwindled by the loss. Ah well. The Anti-Science Ninjas win again.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:19 am

Tested wrote:Quick! To the Lovecraft cave!

...That was random.

It's too bad they didn't capture it alive - the research capabilities are further dwindled by the loss. Ah well. The Anti-Science Ninjas win again.

The boat probably wasn't equipped to keep it alive, seeing as fisherman usually sell fish of the dead variety...

Still pretty cool though.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:00 am

Flame wrote:The boat probably wasn't equipped to keep it alive, seeing as fisherman usually sell fish of the dead variety...

Still pretty cool though.

Ah, yes, hadn't thought of that. Perhaps a regular team of scientists should look for one in the area? If the squid appeared there before, perhaps another one will show up.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:21 am

Kitten Medli wrote:I hope it was DEAD BEFORE THEY FROZE IT.

mirrh, me too. the first thing i thought when i read "nearly dead" then "froze it in the hull" was "oh god! they froze it alive?!? 0.o"

Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:31 am

MmmMMMMmmm....Calamari.

Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:20 pm

... I had a dream about calamari last night... I wonder if it was inspired by this topic? XD

Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:31 pm

pipsqueeek wrote:... I had a dream about calamari last night... I wonder if it was inspired by this topic? XD

*pipsqueeek gets eaten by land-Squids on her way home*

Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:10 pm

Okay, after weeks of being utterly confused, I am going to have to ask if someone will please explain that reference.

Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:11 am

Tymaporer wrote:Okay, after weeks of being utterly confused, I am going to have to ask if someone will please explain that reference.

That article was posted yesterday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu

Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:19 am

Looks like those fishermen nabbed themselves a nifty avatar. =\

Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:42 am

WIS wrote:Looks like those fishermen nabbed themselves a nifty avatar. =\

*giggling uncontrollably right now*

...

Is it pathetic that I understood what you meant the second I read it?

Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:50 pm

Xela of Xandra wrote:
WIS wrote:Looks like those fishermen nabbed themselves a nifty avatar. =\

*giggling uncontrollably right now*

...

Is it pathetic that I understood what you meant the second I read it?

A bit.But that means I'm pathetic too!*pouts*