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NZ fishermen land colossal squid
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 2003.
'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.
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