Trawler nets giant squid

BBC ^ | 01/14/02 | BBC

[Arkle]

A giant squid has been netted off the UK coast for the first time in 15 years.

The 3.15-metre-long (10.3 feet) creature, caught by an Aberdeen-based trawler, will be a star feature at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, Devon.

The squid, believed to be female and three years old, did not survive being brought to the surface. It is thought it would have stretched to about 5.5m in length if it still had its two feeding tentacles, which were lost when it was caught. The creature's beak could cut steel cable.

After DNA tests have been conducted, the squid will be preserved in formaldehyde and displayed in its own custom-made tank in the Creatures Of The Deep area of the aquarium's new Ocean Discovery Zone. The facility will open to the public in May.

"Giant squid are incredibly rare and scientists have never seen one alive," said Doug Herdson, information officer of the National Marine Aquarium. "They live in very deep waters, at about 500 metres and below, and provide fodder for the sperm whale.

In 1987 a giant squid washed up on the shores of the Shetland Islands. Others are known from New Zealand and Newfoundland, and a giant squid featured in the Jules Verne novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The aquarium will conduct a number of scientific investigations, in conjunction with experts from the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth, prior to the squid going on display.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

The one that washed up on the beach was much bigger. These things can have arms 50ft long at full growth. They live deep. Very deep.

[Physicist]

Man, that makes me hungry!

[fish hawk]

Giant squid are on the increase as there's a sucker born every minute.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Of course, after the silly English have finished smothering it in formaldehyde it won't even be a snack.

And I thought I was familiar with most methods of English cooking... ;-)

[homeschool mama]

Calimari ;o)

Saute'd in garlic butter with a hint of rosemary works well. Could feed an army with this puppy!

[Ol' Sox]

The creature's beak could cut steel cable.

But evidently not a fishing net.

[gdc314]

The Discovery Channel had a special on the giant squid where the scientist who actually prepared part of a giant squid, as a one would normal edible squid, reported that it had an awfull ammonia taste. Further investigation into the biochemistry of the giant squid pretty well established that any idea of making these things meals would be pretty yucky (to us anyway). gdc314

[gdc314]

I know ...awfull should be awful...

[sphinx]

LOL!

[homeschool mama]

Bummer.

;o)

[finnman69]

Bread that sucker, deep fry it in olive oil, and get some tangy tomato dipping sauce. A few gallons.

[finnman69]

...and then serve it in Guantanamo.

[muleskinner]

McCoy: "It's DEAD Jim"

Kirk: "Can you do someth..."

McCoy: "I'm a DOCTOR, not a veteranerian"

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

Then how do you explain "Jumbo" Shrimp?

[lds23]

Isn't that the same squid that used to be on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea?

[Constitutional Patriot]

Comments?

"Got Squid?"

[Revelation 911]

question

- whos the squid layin next to the squid? - how does one get the job of human yardstick (keep the answers clean)

Does someone have another photo of the squid? because it bears a striking resemblance to this, a junior Senator from NY

[Revelation 911]

it had an awfull ammonia taste

Not surprised - It was probably not handled properly - now any worthwhile cook knows you need to clean them immediately, rinse them in freshwater and slice thinly , if you expect them to taste halfway decent - I prefer them myself in a thin Marinara over Linguine with some high dollar olive oil & garlic. Followed with a heel of italian bread and some room temperature imported provolone cheese with prosciutto & melon.

Can someone suggest a wine ?

[cardinal4]

I heard somewhere that the deep sea battle between the squid and spermwhale is one of the fiercest in nature.