Scientists opted to set up a research station on an Antarctic cruise ship instead of hiring an expensive research vessel to search for giant squid. The Antarctic giant squid, known as Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, is a mysterious cephalopod that can reach up to 500 kg and 14 m in length with outstretched tentacles. While some specimens have been found by fishing boats, observing these creatures in the wild remains challenging.
Researcher Matthew Mulrennan established Kolossal, a nonprofit organization, with the mission of filming giant squid in their natural habitats. The goal is to gather basic information about these marine creatures, including their hunting behavior and appearance at different stages of life. Mulrennan assembled a team of scientists for trips to Antarctica in 2022 and 2023 to record giant squid, estimating a total cost of $500,000, which is significantly more affordable than renting a research vessel.
During their trips, the team of researchers on the Ocean Endeavor cruise ship built a research station and took cameras into the cold waters of the Southern Ocean to document marine life. They successfully captured footage of various species, including a baby giant squid-like animal. Adult giant squids typically inhabit depths exceeding 900 meters in the waters around Antarctica, making them difficult to study due to the limitations of divers and submersibles.
The Kolossal team recorded an unidentified creature resembling an adult glass squid or a baby giant squid in Paradise Harbor, Antarctica. While the team encountered challenges in preserving and studying giant squid for extended periods, they remain hopeful about uncovering more information about these elusive creatures. Their findings have sparked interest and excitement in continuing the search for giant squid in future expeditions.