Researchers capture historic footage of bigfin squid in Pacific Ocean

Researchers have captured the first-ever footage of a bigfin squid in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The sighting occurred on August 7, 2023, during a deep-sea exploration off the coast of California, where scientists used an uncrewed submersible to film the squid at a depth of over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). This historic observation was made by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The discovery comes as part of a 10-day expedition called Seamount Hotspots, which took place from August 3 to August 12. Researchers were studying underwater mountains known as seamounts, specifically the Davidson Seamount and Sur Ridge, areas noted for their rich biodiversity. Despite the known presence of numerous marine species in these habitats, the bigfin squid was not among the anticipated findings, making its appearance even more significant.

The footage shows the squid in a distinctive "elbow pose," with its arms and tentacles bent at a 90-degree angle. According to deep-sea ecologist Olívia Soares Pereira, this posture could be a feeding tactic, allowing the squid to extend its limbs to capture unsuspecting prey. The individual filmed measured about 4.1 feet (1.25 meters) in total length. Bigfin squids are known for their remarkable arms and tentacles, which can be up to 20 times longer than their bodies, and have been found at depths exceeding 20,000 feet (6,000 meters).

The last recorded sighting of a bigfin squid by MBARI researchers was in Hawaii back in 2001. Pereira noted that she encountered two additional bigfin squids earlier in 2023 during another expedition. The recent footage not only expands scientific knowledge about this elusive species but also underscores the complex ecosystems present in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, highlighting the importance of continued exploration and research of deep-sea environments.