BERING SEA (5 Sep 2003) -- Will Bet-Sayad, a graduate student in biology, recently caught a giant squid in the Bering Sea. Bet-Sayad was in the area collecting data for his research on the Pacific Sleeper shark when he caught the 11-foot, 80-pound Moroteuthis robusta also known as the North Pacific Giant Squid. According to Bet-Sayad, the squid is an adolescent. "To catch one of these squids is a very rare occurrence," Bet-Sayad said. "They are hardly seen and preserved intact." This squid is the third largest species discovered. The giant squid is found in the North Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. It can grow to 20 feet and weigh between 400 and 600 pounds. These squids also have a beak like mouth with two long tentacles used to catch prey, and bring it into the mouth. They also can change colors using mimicry and camouflage with bursts of color. The squids also use jet propulsion to move through the water. The main predator of these giant squids is the sperm whale. The squid has been donated to the university's biology department. The University of Washington is the only other school in the nation that has one of these type of squid, Bet-Sayad said. The boats in this area catch approximately 250 million pound of fish each year, and out of these numbers only six of these squids have been caught in the last 20 years. | | The squid was caught at approximately 1,000 feet. Bet-Sayad's research is focused on the Pacific Sleeper shark. He said is "an interesting opportunity to research sharks that very little is known about." These sharks are found on the bottom of the ocean. Bet-Sayad is researching the adaptations of these sharks to low temperatures and high pressure. Bet-Sayad graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, and in January entered the graduate program in biology here. The National Marine Fisheries Observer Program, the program that Bet-Sayad was with at the time he caught the squid, monitors the health and stock population of fish used commercially. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Web site describes the observer program as, "one of the best sources of reliable, objective data on levels of takes of Marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations." The program also seeks to "collect biological samples to support and promote scientific studies." The goal of NOAA Fisheries is to protect living marine resources, especially through habitat conservation, enforcement, scientific research and fisheries management, according to its Web site. To find more information about NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries Services Observer Program please visit their Web site at http://www.noaa.gov. SOURCE - Daily Mississippian |
