Squid catch stuns scientists

[Renew Deal]

SITKA, Alaska (AP) -- A large Humboldt squid caught offshore from Sitka is among numerous sightings of a species seen for the first time in waters of the Far North, and the first of the species recovered from British Columbia waters.

The 5-foot Dosidicus gigas, or jumbo flying squid, was shipped this week to California to be kept for research at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

The squid was one of a number caught with a dip net by fisherman Alan Otness and his crew on September 18 as they baited longline gear at night. They brought back some of the creatures for examination by experts.

Eric Hochberg, curator of the Santa Barbara museum, said the species is usually found off Baja, California, and farther south.
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/10/15/flying.squid.ap/index.html

[stevedeshazer]

1. Yikes

No way should this critter be that far north.

[BigDaddyCaine]

2. Why not?

Maybe they travel north every year for mating or some other reason. Or maybe just every 10 years. Not enough is known about them to say they only live in the south pacific.

[doreme]

3. They say

that the animals can tell when an earthquake is about to happen. Maybe these squid can tell when a draft is coming. They did head to Canada after all.