Slashdot Mirror
Colossal Squid Landed Intact In Antarctica
zakkie writes "New Zealand fisherman have caught a massive 450-kg colossal squid in Antarctic waters. This is by far the biggest yet found, measuring over 10 meters in length and weighing 450 kg. It has been taken back to New Zealand for study." The NZ government's announcement page features a downloadable backgrounder on the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and a 1.1-MB popup portrait of the animal in the fishing boat's hold.
I would think the reason for the recent appearance of these deep ocean species, are a result of the fact that in the last few years the fishing fleets have all but destroyed there regular shallow target species. As such they have had to abandon shallow water fishing and are now fishing for what is left in the ocean. That seems to be deep water species. If you go to the fish market today. notice how many new and weired fish are now on sale. 10 years ago none of those fish would have been caught or sold. there just is not much left in the shallow oceans for big fleets to harvest. And governments don't want to institute quota's for fear of effecting the fishing industry, and the employment of many thousands of people. Of course in the long run the destruction of the fish stocks will in any way result in the demise of a fishing industry. The difference being it won't be the current politicians problem now will it?