Thread: World's biggest squid

Fishermen haul in world's biggest squid

Email this storyPrint this story 5:00AM Friday February 23, 2007
By Maggie McNaughton


If this 450kg squid was turned into calamari, its rings would be as big as tractor tyres. Photo / NZ Ministry of Fisheries

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A gigantic 10m-long squid, believed to be the largest ever found, has been caught by New Zealand fishermen in the Ross Sea.


Weighing an estimated 450kg, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled to the surface of the New Zealand vessel San Aspiring, owned by the Sanford seafood company.


The squid is to go on display at Te Papa museum in Wellington.
But if the monster was turned into calamari, the rings would be the size of tractor tyres.


Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said yesterday it was likely to be the first intact adult colossal squid 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 crew stopped winching in the long-line for two hours while the squid was manoeuvred into a cargo net and hauled aboard. It was then stored safely in the hold."


The squid, which was caught about three weeks ago, was put in a 1200-litre capacity bin, taking up three-quarters of the space. It has been frozen and is in storage in Sanford's cool store in Timaru.

It will be transferred to Te Papa where it will be preserved for scientific study.


Dr Steve O'Shea, a world-renowned squid expert at the Auckland University of Technology, was reported as saying the squid eclipsed the previous largest find, which weighed 300kg and was found in 2003.


"I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing," he said in an article on news.com.au.


All New Zealand fishing boats in Antarctic waters have Ministry of Fisheries observers on board to monitor catches and help preserve specimens.
The vessel was fishing for Antarctic toothfish.


It was skippered by John Bennett, who is the inaugural winner of the Golden Albatross, an international award made for outstanding commitment to mitigation of seabird bycatch.


Sanford managing director Eric Barratt said the catch would be featured in a television documentary.


He said none of the crew were available for comment because they were still at sea.


Colossal squid grow up to 12m to 14m. They are the largest known squid species and the world's largest invertebrate.


They are believed to have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom.
Only a handful of them have been seen. One was found in the net of a Russian trawler in the Ross Sea in 1981, another found near the surface in 2003 and another near South Georgia Island in 2005.

What is it about giant squid that news stories find so fascinating? ..It's not like one was found on the moon.

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

What is it about giant squid that news stories find so fascinating? ..It's not like one was found on the moon.

why do you still have time for posting here. we are all waiting for pics of sandra's arse - not your thoughts on giant squid

How did they cook it?

Chockers, this is a top quality thread. Won't reach 100 'cos it hasn't got any nude girls in it, but it's exactly why I love TD. Greenies on the way.

He copied this thread from Ajarn I'm sure of it

Well, good, cos I don't read ajarn very often.

An adult specimen of the world’s largest known squid was hauled to the surface by a New Zealand longliner fishing for toothfish in Antarctic waters. The creature, known as a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and with eyes the size of a car tire weighed an estimated 450 kilograms.

“if calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires”.

http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia...7&formato=HTML

Big Squid on Deck - Ajarn Forum - Living, Teaching, and Surviving in Thailand.

See it's the same

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

What is it about giant squid that news stories find so fascinating? ..It's not like one was found on the moon.

'Cause it's a shit-load of Calamari, that's why!

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

He copied this thread from Ajarn I'm sure of it

being that LC is a honourable kiwi it's more likely that his source was
Fishers capture rare monster of the deep - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

He copied this thread from Ajarn I'm sure of it

From the NZ Herald old boy.

Originally Posted by klongmaster

being that LC is a honourable kiwi

surely thats rarer than a giant squid

Pass the tarter souce and lemon!

First thing my wife said

Can we eat it!

Calamari the size of tires... I think I'll go and have one or two of its cousins for lunch today.

Originally Posted by Scooter

First thing my wife said

Can we eat it!

wrong thread scooter

Would it be ok to eat a squid like this?If it was your pet and all and you used to take it for a swim each day (so you would have formed a bond).Would this make you callous? Or just hungry?

you have to be swimming bloody deep and and bloody cold water LC...

^When swimming with Bert (i named it),i'd pee in my wetsuit to keep warm then.....

I think if you name it you've crossed the line and now you can't eat it...

naming is definately the line...