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roadcarver · 23 February 2007, 06:02 AM

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/184600

Feb 22, 2007 11:26 AM
Associated Press

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 today.

New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 450 kilograms, 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 14 metres 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 150 kilograms heavier than the next biggest specimen ever found.

The first specimen of a colossal squid, a 150-kilogram 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 2,000 metres 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 12 metres, but are not as heavy.

President · 23 February 2007, 06:05 AM

Thanks.

astcell · 23 February 2007, 06:25 AM

There's a job for JJ:

"Super-colossal squid tag-and-release officer.

President · 23 February 2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

There's a job for JJ:

"Super-colossal squid tag-and-release officer.

JJ Irani · 23 February 2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

There's a job for JJ:

"Super-colossal squid tag-and-release officer.

Uncle-AJ · 23 February 2007, 08:04 AM

They haven't caught the Bald Kiwi Loon yet!!

JJ Irani · 23 February 2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

They haven't caught the Bald Kiwi Loon yet!!

Prince · 23 February 2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

They haven't caught the Bald Kiwi Loon yet!!

And I doubt they ever will. They're looking in the wrong place - the sea. They should try the field behind his house!

steve-o · 23 February 2007, 06:55 AM

Mmmmmmmmmmm...Calamari. :)

amanda · 23 February 2007, 10:13 AM

Calarmari rings the size of tractor tyres??? OMG thats freaky big!! Wow amazing... makes me sad tho that they've pulled this amazing creature off the bottom of the ocean and killed it.. wonder how old it was to get that big???

Uncle-AJ · 23 February 2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda

.. wonder how old it was to get that big???

Nothing to do with age, it lived on a diet of fast food.......................you ever seen the speed those fish can swim at.

Gedanken · 23 February 2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

Nothing to do with age, it lived on a diet of fast food.......................you ever seen the speed those fish can swim at.

Ouch, Adrian. Ouch.

JJ Irani · 24 February 2007, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

Nothing to do with age, it lived on a diet of fast food.......................you ever seen the speed those fish can swim at.

astcell · 23 February 2007, 12:01 PM

When I did scuba diving I saw starfish four feet across. Then I get into the tourist shops and I see them for sale and they are 8 inches across. Very sad.

amanda · 23 February 2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

When I did scuba diving I saw starfish four feet across. Then I get into the tourist shops and I see them for sale and they are 8 inches across. Very sad.

Totally agree.

They should leave this creature alone and let him continue to be a animal of great mystery to the land above!

Earl · 24 February 2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda

Totally agree.

They should leave this creature alone and let him continue to be a animal of great mystery to the land above!

amanda, looks like it was caught in what is called a "drag net" (very, very big nets pulled behind a also large vessel) and it pulls in what ever gets into it's path but, your right it is a shame to loose something as curious as this creature. I as it's a shame but, I didn't say lets ban this from happening again, I've found that life goes on no matter what if you the one left behind!

padi56 · 23 February 2007, 08:15 PM

Yes agree there must be thousands of creatures in the worlds oceans still to be discovered by man if ever they will.Its much harder to explore the abyss than to go to the planets.Another creature that always fascinated me while under water was the octopus and cuttle fish.How they changed there colours so rapidly,and on night dives the fantastic almost neon colours of cuttle fish in the bright torch light.

astcell · 23 February 2007, 11:33 PM

Yea, man is basically: "Hey look! A new creature! Let's kill it!"

Anyone see The Matrix where Smith speaks that man is a virus on the planet, the place does just fine without him? It sure makes sense when you see the stuff we do to one another.

nko51 · 24 February 2007, 12:32 AM

There was an adventure show about giant squid off the coast of new Zealand, that stated some of the larger one's were close to 60 feet long, 39 feet would be small by comparison.

astcell · 24 February 2007, 04:48 AM

"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...."

That explains how they caught it. You know they say don't go swimming for half an hour after you eat. Mr. Squid was sitting there still working on lunch. He was a sitting duck!

23 February 2007, 06:02 AM	#1
roadcarver "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Vernon Location: C-a-n-a-d-a Watch: 16600 Posts: 5,641	Rare Colossal Squid caught in New Zealand http://www.thestar.com/News/article/184600 Feb 22, 2007 11:26 AM Associated Press 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 today. New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 450 kilograms, 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 14 metres 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 150 kilograms heavier than the next biggest specimen ever found. The first specimen of a colossal squid, a 150-kilogram 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 2,000 metres 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 12 metres, but are not as heavy. __________________ I'm just a cook...

23 February 2007, 08:04 AM	#6
Uncle-AJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Real Name: Adrian Location: Bolton, UK. Watch: Daytona 116520 Posts: 6,844	They haven't caught the Bald Kiwi Loon yet!! __________________ A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.........Segal's Law Member #10

23 February 2007, 06:55 AM	#9
steve-o "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Real Name: Steve-O Location: Naplis, Merlin Watch: Blue TT Sub Posts: 857	Mmmmmmmmmmm...Calamari. :) __________________

23 February 2007, 08:15 PM	#17
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,063	Yes agree there must be thousands of creatures in the worlds oceans still to be discovered by man if ever they will.Its much harder to explore the abyss than to go to the planets.Another creature that always fascinated me while under water was the octopus and cuttle fish.How they changed there colours so rapidly,and on night dives the fantastic almost neon colours of cuttle fish in the bright torch light. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

24 February 2007, 12:32 AM	#19
nko51 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Alex Location: USA Watch: TT Blue Sub Posts: 2,542	There was an adventure show about giant squid off the coast of new Zealand, that stated some of the larger one's were close to 60 feet long, 39 feet would be small by comparison. __________________

23 February 2007, 06:05 AM	#2
President Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: M.Thatcher MP Location: Le Locle Watch: Bear Grylls Posts: 2,913	Thanks.

23 February 2007, 06:25 AM	#3
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	There's a job for JJ: "Super-colossal squid tag-and-release officer.

23 February 2007, 10:13 AM	#10
amanda Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,380	Calarmari rings the size of tractor tyres??? OMG thats freaky big!! Wow amazing... makes me sad tho that they've pulled this amazing creature off the bottom of the ocean and killed it.. wonder how old it was to get that big???

23 February 2007, 12:01 PM	#14
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	When I did scuba diving I saw starfish four feet across. Then I get into the tourist shops and I see them for sale and they are 8 inches across. Very sad.

23 February 2007, 11:33 PM	#18
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Yea, man is basically: "Hey look! A new creature! Let's kill it!" Anyone see The Matrix where Smith speaks that man is a virus on the planet, the place does just fine without him? It sure makes sense when you see the stuff we do to one another.

24 February 2007, 04:48 AM	#20
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	"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...." That explains how they caught it. You know they say don't go swimming for half an hour after you eat. Mr. Squid was sitting there still working on lunch. He was a sitting duck!

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