List of giant squid specimens and sightings (21st century)

This list of giant squid specimens and sightings from the 21st century is a comprehensive timeline of recent human encounters with members of the genus Architeuthis, popularly known as giant squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, found washed ashore, recovered (in whole or in part) from sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as those reliably sighted at sea. The list also covers specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis in original descriptions or later publications.

A frame from the first colour[nb 1] film of a live giant squid in its natural habitat, recorded from a manned submersible off Japan's Ogasawara Islands in July 2012. The animal (#507 on this list) is seen feeding on a 1-metre-long Thysanoteuthis rhombus (diamondback squid), which was used as bait in conjunction with a flashing squid jig (Widder, 2013a, b). The giant squid's silvery-metallic appearance came as a surprise to the expedition team, and had never been observed previously (stranded specimens invariably have reddish skin, if it is preserved at all; Lyden, 2013; Frazer, 2013).

Background

The beginning of the 21st century marked a turning point in humanity's understanding of the life habits of the giant squid, as it ushered in the first visually documented and incontrovertible observations of live animals, both adult and paralarval (Dery, 2013; Mullen, 2013; Schrope, 2013). The quest to photograph or film a live giant squid—mooted since at least the 1960s—had begun in earnest in the 1980s and intensified significantly in the following decade, with several multi-million-dollar expeditions launched in the late 1990s. While these were all unsuccessful, they were followed by a steady stream of live giant squid "firsts" in the nascent years of the 21st century, and spurred further efforts that ultimately culminated in the first footage of live giant squid in their natural deep-ocean habitat—recorded off Japan's Ogasawara Islands in 2012.

The turn of the century also roughly coincided with a shift in the way new giant squid specimens were reported and information on them was disseminated. The rapidly growing popularity of the World Wide Web resulted in a proliferation of both online news sources and platforms for sharing and discussing said news, the latter facilitating a never-before-seen level of engagement between professional teuthologists and amateur enthusiasts.[nb 2] Consequently, much of the information on recent specimens is drawn from online rather than print sources, though scholarly papers continue to be published on individual specimens (examples include Leite et al., 2016; Funaki, 2017; Shimada et al., 2017; Guerra et al., 2018; and Romanov et al., 2018). There exists a sizeable internet community of giant squid enthusiasts, and developments in the field—particularly videos of live animals—generate considerable excitement online, a phenomenon that has been described as "giant squid mania" (Cronin, 2016).

Quest for a live animal

"What will happen if someone finds it or takes its picture? It will lose some of its mystery, and, in a sense, we will be poorer for having been deprived of the anticipation of finding it. Often the realization of a long-held goal proves less fulfilling than the hungry waiting. [...] We need to find the giant squid, but we also need not to find it."

Richard Ellis, from the concluding paragraph of his 1998 book The Search for the Giant Squid (Ellis, 1998:249)

Though the total number of recorded giant squid specimens now runs into the hundreds, the species remains notoriously elusive and little known. By the turn of the 21st century, the giant squid remained one of the few truly large extant megafauna to have never been photographed alive, either in the wild or in captivity. Marine writer and artist Richard Ellis described it as "the most elusive image in natural history" (Ellis, 1998:211).

Steve O'Shea (left) and Clyde F. E. Roper examining a giant squid specimen during the 1999 "In Search of Giant Squid" expedition

Early expeditions

The first dedicated effort to capture a glimpse of the animal in its natural habitat was probably the Beebe Project, initiated in 1986 and named after pioneering deep-sea explorer William Beebe. Like Beebe's original dives, it was initially conducted off Bermuda, which was not known for giant squid (Ellis, 1998:244; but see #191). In addition to finding the giant squid, the expedition's other main objective was the study of six-gill sharks of the genus Hexanchus (Wilford, 1987; Loates, N.d.). The three-person submersible Pisces VI and the four-person Johnson Sea Link were used, the former reaching a maximum depth of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) (Loates, N.d.). Financed primarily by NOAA and organised and led by National Geographic photographer Emory Kristof, the expedition involved scientists from numerous universities and scientific institutions, including shark specialist Eugenie Clark and underwater explorer Joseph B. MacInnis; wildlife artist Glen Loates, known for his naturalistic depictions of the giant squid, was also involved (Wilford, 1987; [Anonymous], 2013g; Loates, N.d.). The expedition relocated to Newfoundland in 1988, at which point it was joined by giant squid expert Frederick Aldrich of the Memorial University of Newfoundland ([CP], 1988; Walsh, 1988; Thurston, 1989; [Anonymous], 1989). A series of seven dives to 300–1,000 ft (90–300 m) depth, lasting up to 10 hours each, were undertaken 8–50 miles (13–80 km) east-northeast of Bonavista Bay on 7–11 November 1988, this time using the Canadian Navy's SLD-1 submersible and the diving support vessel HMCS Cormorant ([Anonymous], 1988a, b; Whitaker, 1988; [Anonymous], 1989). Efforts continued until at least 1990; at one point, a "gigantic squid jig, painted bright red and outfitted with numerous hooks" was trialled (Ellis, 1998:244), as was "hundreds of pounds" of raw tuna (Whitaker, 1988), but all attempts proved unsuccessful.[nb 3]

A photograph purporting to show a live Architeuthis dux alongside a diver was published by Poppe & Goto (1993:pl. 28 fig. 1), but this turned out to be a sick or dying Onykia robusta (misidentification #[7]; Ellis, 1998:211; Norman, 2000:174). Ellis (1998:211) wrote: "Fortunately for those who have devoted their lives to searching for Architeuthis, this was only an aberration, a case of mistaken identity."

After years of planning, a series of further expeditions aimed at capturing footage of a live giant squid in its natural habitat were mounted in the late 1990s (Pope, 1994; Fisher, 1995; Judd, 1996; [Anonymous], 1996), but all were unsuccessful. The three Smithsonian-backed efforts comprised a smaller-scale undertaking in the Azores in July 1996 and two major expeditions to Kaikoura Canyon off New Zealand in January–March 1997 and February–March 1999 (the former covered by National Geographic; Allen, 1997; McCarey & Rubin, 1998). These expeditions—the latter two each costing around $10 million—employed a combination of sperm whale–mounted crittercams, baited "ropecams" or "drop-cams", an Odyssey IIB unmanned underwater vehicle, and the single-person submersible Deep Rover (Fisher, 1997; Ellis, 1997a, b; Grzelewski, 2002). All three were led by giant squid expert Clyde Roper, with the first two also involving marine biologist Malcolm Clarke (Herring, 2014:115; Rodhouse et al., 2015:868; Gomes-Pereira et al., 2017:823) and the last two Steve O'Shea of NIWA; addtionally, National Geographic photographer Emory Kristof took part in the first Kaikoura expedition and oceanographer Gene Carl Feldman in the second (Roper et al., 1997, 1999; Roper, 1998a, 1998b, 2000, 2006, 2013). Marine writer and artist Richard Ellis joined the first of the New Zealand expeditions and in 1998 released a popular nonfiction book, The Search for the Giant Squid, further raising interest in the pursuit of a live animal (Miller, 1996; Ellis, 1998). Oceanographic explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, led another unsuccessful expedition to New Zealand that ended in early 2001 ([Anonymous], 2001b).

21st century breakthroughs

The 2002 specimen from Goshiki beach (#442) is seen here tied with a rope, its delicate reddish skin only partially intact. Muscular constriction around the squid's giant eye obscures much of its surface in this image (O'Shea, 2003f).

In 2001 Steve O'Shea succeeded in capturing the first footage of a live giant squid when he caught and filmed several paralarval individuals—measuring 9–13 mm (0.35–0.51 in)—in captivity (#428; Baird, 2002; Young, 2002). This milestone was followed by the first images of a live adult giant squid (at the surface) on 15 January 2002, near Goshiki beach in Amino-cho, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (#442).[nb 4] The animal, which measured about 2 m (6.6 ft) in mantle length and 4 m (13 ft) including the head and arms, was found near the water's surface. It was captured and tied to a quay, where it died overnight ([Anonymous], 2002b; O'Shea, 2003f; Hellwarth, 2012; Gallant, 2016:47). These images were joined by a number of little-publicised photographs of live adults at the surface off Okinawa (#449, 450, and 464).[nb 5] Renewed interest in filming a live giant squid followed the 2001 recording of an enormous specimen of bigfin squid (?Magnapinnidae) at great depth off Hawaii, which received global media attention (Morelli, 2002a), and the observation of a possible giant squid egg mass in early 2002 (later determined to be that of Nototodarus gouldi—misidentification #[9]; [Anonymous], 2002d). This included further efforts by O'Shea to capture live paralarval specimens (Morelli, 2002b; Grann, 2004) and another unsuccessful attempt to film a live adult in the wild, dubbed Proyecto Kraken ("Project Kraken"), made off the Spanish coast of Asturias in September 2002 and led by giant squid expert Ángel Guerra (Barreiro, 2002; Sitges, 2003; Soriano, 2003; Guerra, 2013). Amid growing competition between researchers, in September 2003 it was reported that O'Shea was leading a team that planned to image a live giant squid by suspending cameras in the water column that would release "puréed" female gonads to attract a male ([Anonymous], 2003c).

The 50th frame of the more than 550 taken on 30 September 2004 by Kubodera and Mori's remote camera system, and the first to capture the giant squid (#466). The downward-facing camera shows the squid attacking horizontally, its head and arms in frame. Between the arms, the bait appears to be enveloped in an irregular ball formed by the two long tentacles, a mode of attack the authors compared to that of pythons (Kubodera & Mori, 2005).

It was only on 30 September 2004 that a live giant squid was photographed in its natural deep-water habitat, off the Ogasawara Islands, by Tsunemi Kubodera and Kyoichi Mori (#466), the culmination of an effort that spanned three years and 26 week-long expeditions (Dery, 2013). The researchers employed a remote camera system suspended from floats at the surface on a long-line of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). The system consisted of a downward-facing camera with a light and data logger, below which extended a weighted 3 m (9.8 ft) fishing line containing three items of bait at intervals along its length: a large hook with a Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) of 22–25 cm (8.7–9.8 in) mantle length, a mesh bag containing euphausids (krill) to act as an odour lure, and finally a second bait squid directly attached to a weighted squid jig. The camera was configured to take one image every 30 seconds. The squid attacked the deployed bait at a depth of 900 m (3,000 ft), becoming snagged on the associated jig. Over the next 4 hours and 13 minutes it periodically came into camera view as it struggled to free itself, gradually pulling the camera system up to a depth of around 600 m (2,000 ft) before apparently tiring and slowly sinking to almost 1,000 m (3,300 ft), at which point it severed its own tentacle and escaped. The tentacle was recovered and used to confirm the squid's taxonomic identity via DNA sequencing. It measured 5.5 m (18 ft) in length, with a tentacular club of 72 cm (2.36 ft), and was used to estimate the mantle length at around 1.6–1.7 m (5.2–5.6 ft), the standard length (excluding tentacles) at 4.7 m (15 ft), and the total length at more than 8 m (26 ft). The images provided a unique insight into the feeding habits of the giant squid and suggested that it was a far more active predator than had previously been thought; the findings were published in the 22 December 2005 issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (Kubodera & Mori, 2005; Kubodera, 2010:25).

Kubodera and his team, again working off the Ogasawara Islands, subsequently became the first to film a live adult giant squid on 4 December 2006 (#473).[nb 6] The animal was caught on a baited hook at 650 m (2,130 ft) depth and pulled to the surface, where it was recorded waving its arms and ejecting large volumes of water from its funnel. It was then brought aboard the research vessel, dying in the process. The squid measured approximately 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in mantle length and 3.5 m (11 ft) to the tips of the arms (both tentacles were missing), and weighed nearly 50 kg (110 lb). Notably, footage of the squid at the surface showed the animal exhibiting conspicuous countershading, being reddish dorsally and silvery-white ventrally. The observed forceful ejection of water from the funnel provided further evidence for an active lifestyle and significant swimming ability in this species ([Reuters], 2007; Kubodera, 2010:38).

However, the quest to film a live giant squid in its natural habitat continued, with an unsuccessful National Geographic–backed attempt off the Azores in 2011, headed by camera expert Martin Dohrn and assisted by Malcolm Clarke ([Anonymous], 2011a; Herring, 2014:115; Gomes-Pereira et al., 2017:824). The following year, a team including Natacha Aguilar de Soto of the University of La Laguna lowered a camera to a depth of 200–800 m (660–2,600 ft) off El Hierro, Canary Islands, but to no avail (Ardoy, 2013). Around the same time, researchers at the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab also expressed an interest in filming the giant squid in its natural habitat ([Anonymous], 2010a; Staaf, 2010).

"The color was utterly different than any of us expected. The one that had been brought to the surface and that there's pictures of on the web [#473] was red, and a lot of deep-sea squid are red. But this was a spectacular silver and gold. It looks like it's carved out of metal; it's just absolutely breathtaking and completely unexpected."

Edith Widder, speaking about the live animal filmed in July 2012 (#507) on NPR's All Things Considered, 13 January 2013 (Lyden, 2013)

The elusive footage was finally captured in July 2012 by a team comprising Kubodera, O'Shea and Edith Widder, after more than 285 hours underwater and 55 submersible dives (Schur, 2013).[nb 6] The project was a joint effort by NHK, Discovery Channel, and Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science. Like Kubodera's two previous "firsts", the milestone was achieved off the Ogasawara archipelago. Initially, black-and-white video of a live giant squid (#506) was recorded at a depth of around 700 m (2,300 ft) from a "Medusa" remote camera system, which was suspended from a buoy at the surface. This system employed Widder's "e-jelly", a flashing ball meant to mimic the bioluminescent signalling of a panicking Atolla jellyfish, a behaviour hypothesised to be a last-ditch effort on the part of the jellyfish to attract a predator of its predator and thereby enable it to escape (Widder, 2013a, b). In total, five sightings of giant squid were made using this system, the last being the most impressive: the squid was recorded passing over the "e-jelly" and apparently attacking the camera system directly, lending credence to the "alarm hypothesis" (Schrope, 2013). About a week after the first sighting using the "Medusa" system, a live animal (#507) was filmed by a three-man crew (including Kubodera) from a Triton 3300/3 submersible, providing the first ever colour and high-quality film of a live giant squid in its natural habitat. The squid, which was about 3 m (9.8 ft) long and missing its feeding tentacles, was initially observed at a depth of 630 m (2,070 ft) and later followed to around 900 m (3,000 ft). It was drawn into viewing range through a combination of a flashing squid jig and the use of a large Thysanoteuthis rhombus (diamondback squid) as bait. The giant squid was filmed feeding for about 23 minutes until it departed. The footage was the subject of two full-length documentaries that premiered in January 2013: NHK's "Legends of the Deep: Giant Squid" and Discovery Channel's "Monster Squid: The Giant is Real" ([NHK], 2013a, b; Schur, 2013). In August 2013, Kirsten and Joachim Jakobsen announced an Evonik Industries–backed project to film a fully intact adult giant squid in its natural habitat off the Azores and thereby determine how the species uses its long tentacles (missing in the 2012 specimen) for feeding ([Evonik], 2013; [Evonik], N.d.); efforts were ongoing as of 2015 (Betzholz, 2015; [Evonik], 2015).

A diver swimming with a live giant squid (#581) in Toyama Bay on 24 December 2015. The animal spent several hours in the harbour, where it was filmed by local divers before being guided out to sea. The resulting videos rank among the highest-quality live giant squid footage ever captured (Keartes, 2015). Note the animal's splayed arms, which it repeatedly wrapped around the divers when approached (Hunt, 2015).

Since the 2012 milestone, live giant squid have been photographed and filmed at the surface on a number of occasions, mostly in Japanese waters (#519, 524, 556, 561, 562, 563, 565, 573, 576, 580, 581, 582, 586, 596, 601, and 604)—the majority of these being related to the mass appearance event in the Sea of Japan between January 2014 and March 2015 (Kubodera et al., 2016)—but also off Spain (#589) and South Africa (#590). Additionally, two freshly stranded animals were photographed alive on South African beaches (#515 and 605), and at least four individuals were briefly kept alive in tanks in Japan (#528, 534, 541, and 578).[nb 7] Notable among these encounters was a specimen (#581) seen in Toyama Bay, Japan, on 24 December 2015, the video of which is one of the highest-quality ever recorded (Keartes, 2015). The squid was apparently swimming normally when a local diving shop owner dove alongside it, and after a few hours of being filmed in a harbour the animal was guided back into the open ocean. It was estimated to be 3.7 m (12 ft) long excluding the tentacles (McKirdy & Ogura, 2015; Murai, 2015). Two other specimens from Toyama Bay (#561 and 565) were similarly filmed by divers and were actually encountered slightly earlier, contrary to some claims about the former specimen being the first encounter of its type.[nb 8] Another noteworthy encounter was that between a paddleboarder and a badly injured individual (#590) off Melkbosstrand, South Africa, in March 2017, with the stricken animal filmed wrapping its arms around the paddleboard (Keartes, 2017b; Payne, 2017).

"In terms of Architeuthis sightings, historically, all we’ve had are dead animals. Now, we’re seeing live animals being photographed and filmed. The progress that’s been made in securing footage of these animals, and in understanding their life history and biology, over the last few years is phenomenal, compared to where we were several years ago."

Steve O'Shea, quoted by Dery (2013)

Another video of a live giant squid in its natural deep-water habitat (#599)—reported at the time as the second ever recorded—was captured in the Gulf of Mexico at 759 m (2,490 ft) depth in June 2019 by a NOAA-funded team that included Widder and visual ecologist and marine biologist Sönke Johnsen (Johnsen & Widder, 2019; [NOAA], 2019; Jarvis, 2019). The animal was seen approaching an "e-jelly" lure before retreating. It subsequently came to light that a seven-second clip of a live giant squid (#594)—little publicised initially (Escánez et al., 2018)—had been captured in October 2017, off the southern coast of El Hierro in the Canary Islands at around 500 m (1,600 ft) depth, making the Gulf of Mexico video the third such recording (Ocampo, 2019).

List of giant squid

#DateLocationNature of encounterIdentificationMaterial citedMaterial savedSexSize and measurementsRepositoryMain referencesAdditional referencesNotes
42412 January 2001approximately 34 miles (55 km) from Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°52.54′N 05°18.74′W) at 300–600 m depth
{NEA}
By trawl; caught aliveArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire; missing arms III; arm II (L) not intactEntireFemale (immature)ML: 1350 mm; MW: 400 mm; EL: 8010 mm; WT: 81 kg; VML: 1190 mm; MT: 22 mm; HW: 260 mm; AL(I): 2310/2400 mm; AL(II): 1791/1900 mm [first not intact]; AL(IV): 1870/1920 mm; TL: 6370/6530 mm; TCL: 770/790 mm; DC: 120/160 mm; MaL: 510/490 mm; CaL: 140/140 mm; LRL: 15.9 mm; URL: 16.5 mm; GL: 1180 mm; GW: 150 mm; FL: 560 mm; FW: 400 mm; EyD: 120 mm [estimate]; FuL: 160 mm; FuCL: 135 mm; FuCW: 25 mm; GiL: 370 mm; NGL: 150 mmCEPESMAGonzález et al. (2002); Guerra et al. (2004b:4); Guerra et al. (2006:259)Second record of a living specimen collected in Spanish Atlantic waters. Specimen was frozen immediately after measurements were taken. It was later defrosted, dissected, and reconstructed. It was placed in a transparent glass case and fixed for 48 hours in 4% formalin. It is now preserved in 70% alcohol.
4257 February 2001 (reported; caught prior week)off south-west Australia
{SWP}
"Caught by commercial fishermen""giant squid"Entire; "near-perfect specimen"Entire?WT: 200 kg"Australian museum"[Anonymous] (2001a)Placed in preservative fluid. Mark Norman interviewed about find.
426May 2001Caladero Lastres, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Architeuthis?EL: 9 m; WT: 90 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)
10 June 200122 miles (35 km) east of Pacific Light, Florida Keys, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (24°40′N 80°30′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxNot statedNone givenRSMAS; "ex UMML 31.3149" [specimen No. 20 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)Found over bottom depth of 725 m.
427
(📷)
25 June 2001off Málaga, Andalusia, Spain, at ~400 m depth
{MED}
By trawl, alive; died shortly thereafterArchiteuthisEntire; tentacles intactEntireFemale (immature)ML: 125 cm; EL: 750 cm; WT: 65 kgMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain[Anonymous] (2001c); Guerra et al. (2006:89)Rivas (2003)On public display. Nicknamed "Archi". Second known giant squid specimen from the Mediterranean Sea. Caught by trawler Neptuno. Examined at Instituto Oceanográfico de Málaga, based in Fuengirola. Delivered to Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid in freezer truck (−18 °C) on 1 October 2001 and there preserved under supervision of cephalopod expert Oscar Soriano; exhibited in tank. According to Guerra et al. (2006:89), found washed ashore dead but relatively fresh on Fuengirola beach on 27 June 2001 (confusion with #380?).
428
(📷)
spring/summer 2001off east coast of South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
Paralarvae caught alive and filmed "swimming robustly" in tankArchiteuthisSeven live individuals?EL: 9–13 mmBaird (2002); Young (2002)Lamb (2018:51)First video of live giant squid, albeit paralarval. Specimens caught by team led by Steve O'Shea and also including Malcolm Clarke and Chung Cheng Lu, after ~100 tows in 12 days. Attempts by aquaculturist Mike Tait to simulate natural conditions in tank proved unsuccessful as paralarvae soon died. Featured in Discovery Channel documentary Chasing Giants: On the Trail of the Giant Squid.
2 July 2001west of Carrandi, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
CaughtArchiteuthis?EL: 7.10 m; WT: 60 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)Caught by the Spanish vessels Elena María and Bautista Pino from Cillero.
6 July 200130 miles (48 km) off Bermuda (32°00′N 64°40′W; given as "32°N 64°40'W")
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxNot statedMale"total length": ~5 ft (1.5 m)[specimen No. 21 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)
42912 September 2001Playa de Rodiles (Villaviciosa), Asturias, Spain [off Luarca fide Bustamante et al. (2008)]
{NEA}
Found washed ashore [by trawl fide Bustamante et al. (2008)]Architeuthis duxEntire?, missing tentaclesEntire?Female (immature)ML: 127 cm; EL: 710 cm; WT: 90 kg [WT: 60 kg fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)]Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008)Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study.
43020 September 2001Playa de Torimbia (Llanes), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis?EL: 10 m; WT: 104 kgMuseo del Mar de Biarritz, BiarritzGuerra et al. (2006:259)On public display. Exhibited at the Museo del Mar de Biarritz in Biarritz.
43123 September 2001Caladero de El Corbiro, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthisFemale (immature)WT: 73.5 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)
4328 October 2001Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°19′S 69°11′E) at 600 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beakEntireLRL: 18.13 mm; ML: 220 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
4338 October 2001Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°19′S 69°11′E) at 600 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beak; brokenEntireCherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)
43423 October 2001Playa de S. Cosme de Barreiros (Lugo), Asturias, Spain [Ribadesella fide Bustamante et al. (2008)]
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?Female (maturing)ML: 150 cm; EL: 800 cm; WT: 104 kg [EL: 9.5 m; WT: 90 kg fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)]Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008)Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study.
43521 November 2001Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°06′S 71°18′E) at 453–575 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower beak onlyEntireLRL: 10.43 mm; ML: 45 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
436Unknown (reported 2002)North Atlantic (otherwise "no data")
{NEA/NWA}
ArchiteuthisFemale (maturing)ML: 1480 mm; TL: 5910 mm [right]; CL: 830 mm [right]; CSC: 255 [right]; TSC: 279 [right]; additional indices and countsVSM [specimen NA-21 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
437Unknown (reported 2002)North Atlantic (otherwise "no data")
{NEA/NWA}
ArchiteuthisRight clubTL: 1490+ mm; CL: 880 mm; CSC: 277; TSC: >288; additional indices and countsVSM [specimen NA-26 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
438Unknown (reported 2002)North Atlantic (otherwise "no locality data")
{NEA/NWA}
ArchiteuthisLeft club at leastMale (mature)ML: 1180 mmVSM [specimen NA-20 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:726, fig. 1)Only referred to in single caption; not included in main study of Roeleveld (2002).
4392002off Santa Catarina, Brazil
{SWA}
"found"ArchiteuthisMartins & Perez (2009)Unreported prior to Martins & Perez (2009).
4402002off Nishiizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed by diverArchiteuthisEntire?None?(larva)?EL: ~2 cmYoshikawa (2014)First time "baby" giant squid photographed by diver, according to Yoshikawa (2014).
441
(📷)
3 January 2002west of St Kilda, Scotland, at 770 m depth
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentaclesEntireFemaleWL: 3.15 m; EL: 5.5 m [estimate]National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth)[Anonymous] (2002a); [Anonymous] (2002c)[Anonymous] (2003a)On public display. Caught by Fraserburgh trawler Marina Polaris. Specimen preserved in formaldehyde and displayed in custom-made tank at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.
442
(📷)
15 January 2002Goshiki beach, Amino-cho, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found alive near surface; tied to quay with rope; died overnightArchiteuthisEntire; reddish skin partly missingEntire?ML: 2 m; ?WL: 4 mNational Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)[Anonymous] (2002b); O'Shea (2003f); [Anonymous] (2006d); [Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b)Hellwarth (2012); Gallant (2016:47)On public display. First images of live adult giant squid (but see #449 and 450). Identified by Koutarou Tsuchiya of the Tokyo University of Fisheries. Exhibited at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo.
[9]
(📷)
mid-February 2002off Poor Knights Islands, Northland Region, North Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
Large egg mass photographed in shallow waterball-like salp; egg mass of pelagic squid (possibly giant squid owing to size); egg mass of Nototodarus gouldiEgg massNonediameter: 2 mNoneDoak (2002a); Doak (2002b); [Anonymous] (2002d)Bolstad (2009)Non-architeuthid. Photographed by photojournalists Jenny and Tony Enderby and posted on website of marine researcher Wade Doak. First known photo of such a squid egg mass (at least from New Zealand). Identified as egg mass of pelagic squid by Steve O'Shea (species later determined to be Nototodarus gouldi; Bolstad, 2009). Resulting discussions brought to light several similar sightings (including a photograph from the same area), one later identified by DNA analysis as the egg mass of an arrow squid (Nototodarus sp.).
44311 March 2002Playa del Gayo (Luanco, Gozón), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisFemale (immature)WT: 70 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)
44420 July 2002Seven Mile Beach, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.; initially speculated to be a new speciesEntire, in two pieces, missing tentaclesEntireFemale (adult)EL: 50 ft (15 m) [estimate]; WT: ~250 kgTasmanian Museum and Art Gallery[Anonymous] (2002e, 2 figs.); Trivedi (2002)[Anonymous] (2003a, fig.); [Anonymous] (2007b)Reported as a possible new species: "Experts found several characteristics which they say they have never encountered before – including long, thin flaps of muscle attached to each of the squid's eight arms." Spermatophores found around mantle. Study supervised by David Pemberton, senior curator of zoology at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Sucker marks and scar on head point to likely encounter with male.
August 2002 [week prior to 19 August]Hokitika Canyon, off West Coast, South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
"caught"Architeuthis dux5 specimensEntire?None givenO'Shea (2002)According to Steve O'Shea, specimens indicated that giant squid were migrating into New Zealand waters to spawn "a month later than usual".
44524 August 2002near beach between Praia da Galé and Melides lagoon, west coast of Portugal (approximately 38°11′N 08°46′W)
{NEA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.Entire; "fresh" conditionMale (mature)ML: 111 cm; EL: 619.5 cm; ?WL: 188.5 cm ["total length without tentacles"]; WT: 60 kg (fresh weight)Marques (2002); Rosa et al. (2005:740)First recorded specimen from Portuguese coast. Found during upwelling when surface water temperatures in region were 10–17 °C. Collected by technicians of Sado Estuary Natural Reserve and taken to Museu Oceanográfico do Portinho da Arrábida where it was deep-frozen. Studied for biochemical composition by Rosa et al. (2005).
44613 September 2002in the proximity of "Pozo de la Vaca", off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°54.26′N 5°29.38′W) at c. 450–475 m depth
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntireMale (mature)ML: 98/100 cm; MW: 33 cm; WT: 42/43 kg; EL: 600 cm; VML: 92 cm; BC: 76 cm; HL: 27 cm; HW: 28 cm; AL(IV): 176 cm; LAL: 176 cm; AC(I): 15.4 cm; AC(II): 19.7 cm; AC(III): 21.6 cm; AC(IV): 20+ cm; AF: 4.3.2.1; TL: 420/470 cm; TCL: 51 cm; DC: 15 cm; MaL: 29 cm; CaL: 7.9 cm; FL: 30 cm; FW: 28 cm; TaL: 8 cm; HeL: 4.5 cm [IV pair]; EyD: 8/10 cm; FuL: 17 cm; FuD: 5.5 cm; FuCL: 12 cm; FuCW: 3 cm; PL: 88 cm; SSL: 30 cm; SoA: yes; SL: 11.0–20.0 cm; LRL: 1.2 cm; URL: 1.0 cmCEPESMAGuerra et al. (2004a); Guerra et al. (2004b:8)Guerra et al. (2006:259)Captured by Spanish pair trawlers Helena María and Bautista Pino. Spermatophores embedded in skin.
44710 October 2002El Agudo, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Caught by shipsArchiteuthisWT: 87 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)Caught by ships Luscinda and Peña la Deva.
44823 December 2002off Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa, Japan, at c. 500 m depth
{NWP}
Caught by vertical long-line squid jigArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemaleML: 1410 mmOkinawa Churaumi AquariumKubodera & Horikawa (2005:206, pl. 1A); Kubodera (2007, fig. 1)Donated to aquarium by local fisherman. According to Kubodera & Horikawa (2005), specimen belongs to morphological type with thick arms of medium length and longest arm IV measuring 1.2–1.3 times mantle length. Photographed lying alongside Ryukyu woman for size comparison.
449
(📷)
Unknown (reported 2003)off Okinawa, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed alive at surfaceArchiteuthisEntire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intactNone?[Anonymous] (c. 2003); O'Shea (2003g)Eyden (2006); Kubodera (2010:39)Photographed alive at surface after being attracted by jig-caught Thysanoteuthis. Possibly first adult giant squid to be photographed alive (but see #442).
450
(📷)
Unknown (reported 2003)off Okinawa, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed alive at surfaceArchiteuthisEntire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intactNone?[Anonymous] (c. 2003); O'Shea (2003g)Eyden (2006); Kubodera (2010:39)Photographed alive at surface with Megalocranchia. Possibly first adult giant squid to be photographed alive (but see #442). Countershading observed in Architeuthis for the first time.
451
(📷)
Unknown (reported 2003)off Tonga
{SWP}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis?Entire, large gash in mantle near finsNoneML: 2 m [estimate]O'Shea (2003a); O'Shea (2007a)Unsuccessful attempt made to haul specimen onto boat deck. Carcass was probably attacked by an animal, but was very fresh upon discovery. Photographs taken of floating carcass and severed arm. Steve O'Shea noted that suckers at base of arm fragment in photo appear unusually large relative to arm thickness for it to be Architeuthis (O'Shea, 2003a), though he considered this the "most likely" ID, with the "only alternative" being a giant onychoteuthid, though he thought this unlikely due to the locality (O'Shea, 2007a).
45211 January 2003off Madeira
{NEA}
Seen clinging onto boat hullArchiteuthis duxEntireNone?EL: 7–8 m / nearly 30 ft (9.1 m) [estimate]; "tentacle [...] thicker than [...] leg"[Anonymous] (2003a)Grann (2004)Crew of trimaran Geronimo, competing in round-the-world Jules Verne Trophy, reported being "attacked" by giant squid several hours after departing from Brittany, France. Squid purportedly latched onto boat and blocked rudder with two of its "tentacles". First seen by first mate Didier Ragot, by shining flashlight through porthole. Also seen by captain Olivier de Kersauson, who stopped boat, causing squid to let go.
453January 2003off Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in netgiant squid[Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b)
454around 20 July 2003Pringle Bay, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
{SEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentaclesSeveral pieces of bait, buccal mass, beak; remainder cut up for bait?WL: 4 m [estimate]; WT: 200 kg [estimate]Avenier (2003); Merwe (2003)Found in shallows by four fishermen. Length estimated by fisherman Anton Barnard. Remains in possession of Hermanus squid enthusiast Jean Francis Avenier.
455
(📷)
August 2003off New Zealand
{SWP}
Caught in netArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactEntireMale (mature)EL: 6 m; ML: ~1 m; PL: 40 cm; LSD: 3 cm; WT: 49/60 kgGerman Oceanographic Museum, Stralsund[Anonymous] (2004b); [Anonymous] (2005a); Strauß & Reinicke (2007:87); [Anonymous] (2010f); Nordsieck (N.d.); [Pottwale] (N.d.)On public display. Acquired by Steve O'Shea who examined it with Volker Miske of the University of Greifswald. Spermatophores found embedded in tissue outside range of own penis, suggesting male-on-male mating. Transferred to German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund in May 2004 where it was examined by Miske and Götz Reinicke; exhibited there in 6 m tank filled with formalin since 16 January 2005 as the first specimen on public display in Germany (unveiled at press event with Miske, Reinicke and museum manager Harald Benke).
13 September 2003La Griega (Colunga), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis?EL: 11 m; WT: 140 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)[Anonymous] (2003b)
45615 September 2003La Isla (Colunga), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?Female (immature)ML: 152 cm; EL: 1200 cm; WT: 80 kg [EL: 10 m fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)]Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008)[Anonymous] (2003b)Regarded by McClain et al. (2015) as "longest scientifically verified" and "largest recorded and well-preserved specimen in the contemporary, peer-reviewed literature". Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study.
45716 September 2003Gozón, Asturias, Spain [off Gijón fide Bustamante et al. (2008)]
{NEA}
Found floating at surface, dyingArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?Male (mature)ML: 122 cm; EL: 620 cm; WT: 66 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008)[Anonymous] (2003b)Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study.
45823 September 2003Bañugues (Gozón), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found strandedArchiteuthisMale (mature)WT: 60 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)
45910 October 2003Pozos- Carrandi, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Caught by shipsArchiteuthis?EL: 10 m; WT: 67.5 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)Caught by ships Travesía and Valdés Vega of Avilés.
46016 October 2003off Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°53.23′N 5°32.15′W)
{NEA}
Found moribund and floating at the surfaceArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, missing tentaclesEntireMale (mature)ML: 122 cm; MW: 38 cm; WT: 66 kg; VML: 116 cm; HL: 28.9 cm; AC(I): 16.2 cm; AC(II): 20.4 cm; AC(III): 21.2 cm; AC(IV): 25.1 cm; AF: 4.3.2.1; FL: 42 cm; BC: 82 cm; EyD: 9.5/10.3 cm; FuL: 17 cm; FuD: 7.6 cm; FuCL: 14.5 cm; FuCW: 3.6 cm; PL: 96.5 cm; SSL: 32.9 cm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 12.3–20.1 cm; LRL: 1.34 cm; URL: 1.2 cmCEPESMAGuerra et al. (2004a); Guerra et al. (2004b:8)Guerra et al. (2004a) give capture date as 16 September 2003.
46118 October 2003La Griega (Colunga), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthisEntire?, missing tentaclesFemaleWT: 70 kgGuerra et al. (2006:259)
462Unknown (reported 2004)off New Zealand, probably at 400–600 m depth
{SWP}
By hoki trawlArchiteuthis duxMantle only; caecum distended with prey, including fragments of an Architeuthis tentacular club (carpus, manus, and dactylus suckers, and the dactylic pouch)Female (mature)ML: 1.6 m; additional measurements of Architeuthis remains found in caecumStomach contents accessioned into the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Earth & Oceanic Sciences (EOS) Research Institute, accession # AUT G.22Bolstad & O'Shea (2004:16)Caught in one of two locations: either off the west coast of South Island, near Hokitika Canyon, between July and August; or off Banks Peninsula, on the east coast of South Island, between December and February. Contents of caecum examined. Prey items attributed to Nototodarus sp. and Architeuthis dux. Presence of Architeuthis remains in caecum suggests cannibalism or autophagy.
463
(📷)
15 March 200415.6 km NW of Port Stephens Settlement, Falkland Islands (~2 km from coast; 52.03°S 61.41°W / -52.03; -61.41 (Giant squid specimen)) at 200/220 m depth
{SWA}
By bottom trawl, caught aliveArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, almost completeEntireFemale?EL: 8.62 m; WT: >200 kgBMNH; reg. no. 20040669[Anonymous] (2006a); Morelle (2006); Ablett (2012:16); Hendry (2015); Bonnett (2015); Westwood (2015)Colwell (2015); Lamb (2018:50); numerous media sourcesOn public display. Nicknamed "Archie". Caught by Falkland-registered trawler John Cheek (Fortuna Ltd.); immediately frozen. Donated by Alexander Arkhipkin of Falkland Islands Fisheries Department. Preservation overseen by mollusc curator Jonathan Ablett. DNA samples taken. Defrosted over 3 days and then measured by museum scientist Oliver Crimmen. Next injected with ~15 litres of 10% formol-saline solution and placed in purpose-built wooden container lined with rubber, filled with 3250 litres of water, 350 litres of formalin, and 125 kg of rock salt. Finally transferred to 9.45 m-long acrylic tank filled with 10% formol-saline solution. On display in undissected state at Darwin Centre, BMNH, but only viewable to public as part of Spirit Collection Tour (see photos). Central to plot of 2010 fantasy novel Kraken.
464
(📷)
15 April 2004southeast of Okinawa Island, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed alive at surfaceArchiteuthisEntire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intactNoneML: 2 m [estimate]; ?WL: 5–6 m [estimate]None[Anonymous] (2004a)Eyden (2006); Kubodera (2010:39)
11 August 2004off Arguineguín, southern Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Caught by fishermenArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacle(s) intactEntireEL: 8.5 m; WT: 83/85 kgInstituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas, Telde[Anonymous] (2004c); Alcalá (2004)Taken to Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas (ICCM) in Telde for study, with necropsy planned for winter. Identification provided by Patricia Navajas of ICCM.
11 August 2004between Fuerteventura, Canary Islands and Morocco
{NEA}
Found by Salvamento MarítimoArchiteuthis duxMantle only?EntireML: 1 mInstituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas, Telde[Anonymous] (2004c); Alcalá (2004)Taken to Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas (ICCM) in Telde for study, with necropsy planned for winter. Identification provided by Patricia Navajas of ICCM.
46523 August 2004 (morning)3 km from lighthouse, Ocean Beach, Farewell Spit, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntireEntire?WL: 5.7 m; WT: "near" 300 kgAuckland University of Technology[Anonymous] (2004d); [Anonymous] (2004e); [Anonymous] (2004f)[Anonymous] (2007d)Reportedly largest known giant squid specimen. Found by British tourists Nick and Rosemary Pinfield on Farewell Spit Tours trip. Transferred to Steve O'Shea of Auckland University of Technology on August 25. Available for public viewing at university on October 11.
466
(📷)
30 September 2004 (beginning 9:15 am)off Chichijima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan (26°57.3′N 142°16.8′E), initially at 900 m depth, then up to c. 600 m, and finally down to c. 1000 m
{NWP}
Sighted in natural habitat; line baited with squid and shrimpArchiteuthisEntire; live animal sighted and photographed5.5 m long portion of tentacle attached to line; squid broke free and swam awayRecovered tentacle: 5.5 m long; TCL: 720 mm; LSD: 28 mm; ML: 1615 mm [estimate based on TCL]; ML: 1709 mm [estimate based on LSD]; WL: ~4.7 m [estimate]; EL: >8 m [estimate]Kubodera & Mori (2005); Owen (2005); Hopkin (2005); [Anonymous] (2005b, 3 figs.); [Anonymous] (2005c); Staedter (2005); Morelli (2005); Kubodera (2007); Kubodera (2010:25)Dery (2013); Sakamoto (2013b); Cronin (2016); Hanlon & Messenger (2018:266); numerous media sourcesFirst images of live giant squid in its natural deep-water habitat. Feeding behaviour observed; "Architeuthis appears to be a much more active predator than previously suspected, using its elongate feeding tentacles to strike and tangle prey" (Kubodera & Mori, 2005). Distal tentacle portion was still functioning upon retrieval at surface, with club suckers "repeatedly gripping the boat deck and any offered fingers". Press event with Tsunemi Kubodera held at Tokyo's National Museum of Nature and Science ([Anonymous], 2005c).
5 December 2004 [6 December fide Roper et al. (2015:81)]near the Red Rock local landmark, Ghaneys Beach, Colliers, Conception Bay, Newfoundland (47°28.747′N 53°11.515′W) [47°27′N 53°14′W fide Roper et al. (2015:81)]
{NWA}
Found stranded on rocks, ~1 ft (30 cm) above sea levelArchiteuthis duxEntire; missing skinFemale (maturing)ML: 131 cm; ?EL: 18 ft (5.5 m)[specimen No. 22 of Roper et al. (2015)]"Flynnsbeach" (2013); Roper et al. (2015:81)Found and first reported by Jimmy Conway of Colliers; later identified by scientists. Photographed with Dennis Flynn at 10:45 pm (local time) on 5 December 2004; specimen left untouched by photographer.
22 December 2004near shore off Triton, Green Bay, Newfoundland (49°31′N 55°37′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxNot statedMale (maturing)"total length": 405 cm[specimen No. 23 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)
467
(📷)
2005off South Island, New Zealand, at 500 m depth
{SWP}
Caught in net for hokiArchiteuthis sanctipauliEntire; tentacles intactEntireMale? (subadult?)EL: 6.75 m; WT: 250 kg [estimate]Queensland MuseumHolroyd (2005); Morelli (2006); [Anonymous] (2006e); Pearce (2006); [QM] (2010); Sykes & Begley (2014); Kent (2014); [QM] (2014)On public display. Purchased by Melbourne Aquarium curator Nick Kirby for more than A$100,000. Displayed in 3.5-tonne block of ice that took 3 weeks to freeze (reported as largest man-made ice block in the world), initially at Melbourne Aquarium, later at UnderWater World as part of "Monsters of the Deep" exhibit (from 27 December 2006). Donated in frozen state to Queensland Museum in 2008; ice chipped away over 3 days, specimen then thawed over a week, and preserved in ethanol; after more than 5 years in museum lab, displayed as part of "Deep Oceans" exhibit (28 March – 6 October 2014), later on level 2 (from 17 December 2014). Nicknamed "Cal". [QM] (2010) gives 2004 as year of capture.
4682005 (summer)Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, near Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (49°04.185′N 125°45.679′W)
{NEP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire; "poor condition"; all arms and tentacles damaged and incomplete (both tentacular clubs missing), mantle torn open and bearing row of sperm whale teeth holes, most internal organs missingEntire(juvenile)ML: 960 mm; EL: 2340 mm; WT: 22,600 g [wet]; MW: 780 mm; HL: 410 mm; HW: 360 mm [across eyes]; EyD: 40 mm; TL: 1270/1105 mm; AL(I): 1165/1430 mm; AL(II): 940/810 mm; AL(III): 805/710 mm; AL(IV): 745/700 mm; AD(I): 180/200 mm; AD(II): 180/180 mm; AD(III): 195/180 mm; AD(IV): 150/140 mm; BAC: 280 mm; BAL: 135 mmRoyal British Columbia Museum (RBCM 006-00085-001)Cosgrove & Sendall (2007); Horner (2009)Found by Parks Canada staff. Photographed on beach by Heather Holmes. Beak and radula extracted for identification. Identification of specimen as A. dux confirmed by Steve O'Shea. Apparently attacked and killed by a sperm whale.
2 July 200510 miles (16 km) south of Key West, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (coordinates given as "~24°32'N 81°84'W" [sic])
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire; "whole specimen"WL: ~10 ft (3.0 m)[specimen No. 24 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)Found over bottom depth of 592 m. Identified based on photo.
46919 July 200512 miles (19 km) off Gandia, Valencia, western Mediterranean Sea
{MED}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?Male (mature)ML: 107 cm; EL: 600 cm; WT: 50 kgCEPESMABustamante et al. (2008); [Anonymous] (2014d); [Anonymous] (2014e)[Anonymous] (2013b)First male specimen from Mediterranean. Caught by fishing boat Nova Emi. Taken to Grau de Gandia fish market off Playa de Piles and auctioned to fishmonger Jesús Caudeli for 37 euros. Initially offered to University of Valencia, who rejected it; donated to CEPESMA. Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. One of few CEPESMA specimens not destroyed during storm of 2 February 2014. On temporary display in Biarritz from June 2014.
47022 July 2005off Gijón, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?Female (maturing)ML: 146 cm; EL: 820 cm; WT: 139 kgBustamante et al. (2008)Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study.
October 2005Los Cristianos, Tenerife, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Not stated; deadArchiteuthisNot given[Anonymous] (2009)
~March 2006 ["six months" prior to 23 September]off West Coast of South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawl"giant squid"Entire, "largely intact, albeit with a few battle scars"; tentacles intactEntireMale? (mature)EL: 8.23 m; TL: 5 m; WT: 100 kgCoursey (2006)Nicknamed "Squid Vicious". Supplied by Steve O'Shea. Formerly on public display in 3.8 m tank at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in Auckland, New Zealand, as part of "Freaky Fish" exhibit from 23 September 2006; partly preserved but displayed in chilled sea water (10–18 °C) in new experimental approach.
7 May 2006Florida Current, 9.7 miles (15.6 km) offshore, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States (29°01′N 80°56′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"most of mantle missing""total length": 13 ft (4.0 m)[specimen No. 25 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)Most of mantle bitten off by mako shark. Sample used as part of mitogenomic study of Winkelmann et al. (2013).
47111 August 2006about eight miles (13 km) off Santa Cruz Island
{NEP}
Found floating at surface"giant squid""a tentacle and two arms"Entire?; stored in cooler after being foundTL: ~13 ft (4.0 m); TD: "about the diameter of a broomstick"; AL: ~4 ft (1.2 m); ASD: "about the size of a nickel"Not stated[Anonymous] (2006c)Found by sport fisherman Bennett Salvay from the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana. "Eric Hochberg, a squid expert at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, said the rest of the squid might have ended up in the stomach of a sperm whale or orca."
472October? 2006 (caught "two months" prior to being reported on December 21); December 2006 fide Lee (2013)Pacific Ocean, about 900 nautical miles (1,700 km) northwest of Midway (35°30′N 168°20′W)
{NWP}
Found floating at surface; caught with fishing spearArchiteuthisEntireEntireWT: 211 kg; BC: 1.5 m; BL+HL?: 3 m; ?EL: 6 m [7 m fide [Anonymous] (2013h); Lee (2013)]China Times 21 December 2006; [Anonymous] (2006f)[Anonymous] (2013h); Lee (2013)Caught by skipper Hong Jeh Shan and mechanic Hong Shih Cheng (who came to global prominence in 2013 as the only fatality in the Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident). Sold for around $530 USD at Tong Goang fish market (東港). Kept in freezer for 2 months prior to being reported. Identified as giant squid by C. C. Wu of the Taiwan Department of Fish and Game. Photographed separately with kindergarten children and with Hong Chieh Shang, son-in-law of Hong Shih Cheng.
473
(📷)
4 December 2006~15 miles (24 km) northeast of Otohto-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan, at 650 m depth
{NWP}
Caught on baited hook; videotaped alive at surface; brought aboard research vessel "after putting up quite a fight"; died in processArchiteuthis sp.Entire; tentacles and several arm tips missingEntireFemale (immature)ML: 1.43 m; EL: ~7 m [estimate]; BL+HL: 3.5 m; WT: nearly 50 kgTalmadge (2006); de Pastino (2006); [Reuters] (2007); Kubodera (2010:38); Nilsson et al. (2012:Supplemental Information)Dery (2013); Sakamoto (2013b); numerous media sourcesFirst video of live adult giant squid. Specimen was hooked when it attempted to eat a neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii; c. 55 cm ML), which was itself attracted by bait of Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus; c. 25 cm ML). Countershading and forceful ejection of water observed at surface. Sexual maturity determined based on immature ovary. Carcass preserved in formalin displayed at news conference at National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo on 22 December. Eye preserved in 4% formalin; sections of retina embedded in histological Araldite used by Nilsson et al. (2012) to measure rhabdom diameter (5–6 µm).
47424 January 2007off Ine, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in net, escapedgiant squidEntireNone[Anonymous] (2008a)
June 2007off southern Tenerife, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Pilot whale observed at surface with a tentacle in its mouthArchiteuthis?TentacleNoneEL: 4–5 m [estimate]; TL: >2 m [estimate]; WT: 180 kg [estimate][Anonymous] (2007e); Soto et al. (2008); Walker (2008)Pilot whale made several side jumps to release tentacle and eat it. Photographed by Pablo Aspas; video also recorded. Led scientists to suggest that pilot whales may feed on giant squid. Size estimates by teuthologist Ángel Guerra. Piece of "fresh" arm and other remains also found near diving pilot whales.
47510 July 2007Ocean Beach, near Strahan, Tasmania, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentaclesML: ~1.7 m; EL: ~6–8 m [estimate]; BD: ~1 m; WT: ~250 kgTasmanian Museum and Art Gallery[Anonymous] (2007a); [Anonymous] (2007b); [Anonymous] (2007f)Kept in formalin for a month before being preserved in ethanol. Photographed in situ with Ritchie Bauer of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
47622 or 23 July 2007 (morning)~6 km from base of spit, Ocean Beach, Farewell Spit, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntire??EL: 4.2 m[Anonymous] (2007c); [Anonymous] (2007d)Found by members of Farewell Spit Eco Tours.
4778 August 2007 [9 August fide Roper et al. (2015:81)]Marathon Hump, south of Marathon, Florida Keys, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux?Entire, "completely intact"; both eyes and all arms and tentacles intactMale (immature)EL: 6.79 ft (2.07 m); WT: 2.7 lb (1.2 kg)Mote Marine Laboratory [specimen No. 26 of Roper et al. (2015)]Lollar (2007); [Anonymous] (2007j); Roper et al. (2015:81)Possibly the smallest and most intact giant squid found in the region. Recovered by David Stout of North Fort Myers while fishing for tuna and mahi-mahi aboard Concrete Gringo in 1,200 ft (370 m) of water. Kept on ice by Stout before being transported to Mote Marine Laboratory, where it was examined and tentatively idenfitied by Debi Ingrao. Preserved in formalin. Sample used as part of mitogenomic study of Winkelmann et al. (2013).
47821 August 2007 (reported)New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentaclesEL: ~10 m [estimate]Bolstad (2007)Submerged in and injected with 5% formalin after thawing. Eyes in very good condition.
[10]23 August 2007 (reported)off Elba, Italy
{MED}
Caught in a deep sea net by fishermanArchiteuthis; Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857Entire, with mature eggsFemaleEL: 1.7 m; WT: 17.6 kgMarine Biology Laboratory, Livorno, Italy[Anonymous] (2007g); [Anonymous] (2007h); [Anonymous] (2007i)Non-architeuthid. Identified by Paolo Sartor. Specimen retrieved in "excellent condition".
47929 August 2007 (reported)beach in Port Underwood, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashore; likely discarded by a trawlerArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentacles?WL: ~3 m; EL: ~4 m [estimate]Johnston (2007)Found by retired whaler Ted Perano.
48025 October 2007off Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
{SWA}
Caught by fishermenArchiteuthisEntireUnknown?EL: ~4 m; WT: 130 kg[Anonymous] (2007k)Martins & Perez (2009)Specimen was taken to Niterói, where it was purchased by Alessandro Mello. Martins & Perez (2009) write "the fate of this specimen is currently unknown".
48127 December 2007beach near mouth of Yura River, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoregiant squidEntire?Female (mature)?EL: 3.3–3.7 m; ML: ~1.8 m; WT: 100 kg [estimate]National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)[Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b)Initially frozen at the Kyoto Prefectural Marine Center. Dissection carried out on 4 February 2008.
482February 2008off Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
capturedgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")[Anonymous] (2014n)
4859 May 2008 (reported)40 km off Hickory Bay, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, at 112 m depth
{SWP}
Caught by trawler Austro Carina"giant squid"Mantle and tentacles, head missingML: 2 m; TL: 4 mBrown (2008)Head lost when caught in net. Capture of squid described by Lyttelton skipper Dale Robertson.
48625 May 2008about 40 km off Portland, Victoria, Australia, at 556 m depth
{SWP}
Caught by trawler Zeehaan"giant squid"Entire; eyes, skin and fins intactEntireFemaleEL: >12 m [intact estimate]; ?EL: 5.5–6 m; WT: 245 kgMelbourne Museum, Museum VictoriaBurgess (2008); [Anonymous] (2008e); [Anonymous] (2008f); McNamara (2008); [Anonymous] (2008g); [Anonymous] (2008i)Largest recorded specimen from Australian waters. Capture of squid described by skipper Rangi Pene. Identified as a "colossal squid" in some media reports. Public dissection took place at Melbourne Museum on 17 July 2008, carried out by team of experts led by Mark Norman.
48725 June 2008about 20 miles (32 km) off Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, California
{NEP}
Found floating at surface with gulls feeding on remainsArchiteuthisEntire; missing parts of mantle, most of one tentacle, eyes, sex organs, stomach, ink sac, and heartEntireEL: ~25 ft (7.6 m) [estimate]; ?WL: 16 ft (4.9 m); BC: 4 ft (1.2 m); WT: ~170 lb (77 kg); WT: 225–390 lb (102–177 kg) [intact estimate]Santa Barbara Museum of Natural HistoryAlexander (2008); Rusk (2008); Hirschmann (2008); [Anonymous] (2008h); Kettmann (2008); Meyers (2011); Williams (2011)Found by Santa Cruz researcher Sean Van Sommeran and other crew of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation. Possibly died as a result of shark attack. Numerous photographs taken of specimen in water, during retrieval, on boat deck, and during dissection. Dissected on 26 June 2008 at Long Marine Lab by team including William Gilly, Ken Baltz, and John Field. Specimen was measured, checked for parasites, and tissue samples were taken. Examined again on August 22 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Covered in 2011 book Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid (Williams, 2011).
48816 October 2008"beginning" of Farewell Spit, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntireEntire?Female??EL: 5 m; WT: ~200 kgAuckland University of TechnologyHolst (2008); Rowe (2008)Gale (2011)Found by team including Chris Pomeroy and Tim Rowe of Farewell Spit Eco Tours. Transferred in refrigerated truck by Department of Conservation to Steve O'Shea at Auckland University of Technology. Viewed by children from three local primary schools prior to transfer.
4892009 (reported)Kerguelen waters
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower beakEntire(adult)LRL: 16.2 mmXavier & Cherel (2009:51, fig. 5)
4902009 (reported)Kerguelen waters
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower beakEntire(juvenile)LRL: 10.1 mmXavier & Cherel (2009:51, fig. 5)
4912009 (reported)Kerguelen waters
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxUpper beakEntireURL: 18.1 mmXavier & Cherel (2009:82, fig. 5)
19 February 2009 (reported; first seen several days prior)Charco Manso, El Hierro, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Found floating at surface; later washed ashore, deadArchiteuthisEntire?"large size"[Anonymous] (2009)Analysed and identified by members of Instituto Español de Oceanografía.
4922 April 2009Island Bay beach, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found in shallow water; dragged onto beach"giant squid"Entire; "fantastic condition"EntireMale??EL: 3 mNMNZPaulin (2009); Wood & Easton (2009)Found by Alana Spragg and Bella Spragg. Probably died only a few hours before being found. Thought to be either a male or a juvenile due to small size.
49330 July 2009off Louisiana, United States (Gulf of Mexico), at >1,500 ft (460 m) depth
{NWA}
Caught in research cruise trawl netArchiteuthisEntire, "intact"EntireFemaleEL: 19.5 ft (5.9 m); WT: 103 lb (46.7 kg)NMNH [specimen No. 27 of Roper et al. (2015)]Melvin (2009); Schleifstein (2009); Roper et al. (2015:81)Roper & Shea (2013:115, 117, figs. 5a–c, 8)Capture announced by Interior Department on 21 September. Stomach contents examined and found to contain mostly fluid with few solid remains. White tissue on posterior tip of ink sac interpreted as putative light organ (Roper & Shea, 2013:117, fig. 8). Sample used as part of mitogenomic study of Winkelmann et al. (2013).
[11]15 August 2009near a small bay just west of Beaver Point on Saltspring Island, Canada
{NEP}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux; Moroteuthis robusta (now known as Onykia robusta; see Bolstad, 2008:106, 2010)EntireEntire; "badly decomposed"(juvenile)?EL: 11 ft (3.4 m)Horner (2009)Non-architeuthid. Found by Saanich residents Karia Leschke and Ron Lysek on their boat Stealaway. Identified (and re-identified) by invertebrate research biologist Graham Gillespie. Reported on 5 October.
49514 October 2009off Bonin Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthisSingle tentacleTL: 3.5 mHansford (2009); Wu (2009a); Wu (2009b)Found and measured by Tony Wu.
49615 October 2009off Bonin Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Female sperm whale photographed near surface carrying giant squid remains in its jawsArchiteuthisRemainsNone?EL: 9 m [estimate]Hansford (2009)Group of five adult sperm whales and one calf photographed by Tony Wu. Steve O'Shea suggested adult whales may use remains of giant squid to teach calves about hunting.
4972010Fosa de Hércules, off Province of A Coruña, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntire?Not stated[Anonymous] (2011b); [Anonymous] (2011c)Caught by the trawler Minchos VI. Both this specimen and another caught by Minchos VI in April 2011 were noted for differing anatomically from other Spanish giant squid specimens.
15 January 2010Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
{NWP}
Found stranded on beachArchiteuthis sp.Entire; tentacles intact, skin largely missingFemaleML: 1750 mm; TL: 5060 mm; AL(I): 1550/1560 mm; AL(II): 1420/1560 mm; AL(III): 1620/1730 mm; AL(IV): 1500/1410 mm; LSD: 20 mm; MT: 30.6–40.2 mm; HL: 310 mm; HW: 230 mm; EyD: 50 mm; FL: 594 mm; FW: 545 mm; GiL: 460 mm; WT: 2764 g [ovary]; WT: 1290 g [stomach]Lee et al. (2013:856, figs. 2–3)Total weight not measured.
49820 February 2010off Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashore, deadArchiteuthis sp.Entire?, good conditionEntire?ML: 1.7 m; WL: 3.4 m; WT: 109.2 kgNational Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)[Anonymous] (2010b); [Anonymous] (2010c)Local newspapersIdentified by Niigata City Aquarium based on fin shape.
22 May 2010Pacific Ocean [south of New Zealand] (51.181667°S 166.435000°E / -51.181667; 166.435000 (Giant squid specimen)), at 197 m depth
{SWP}
Not statedArchiteuthis duxNot statedUndetermined (adult)None givenda Fonseca et al. (2020a); da Fonseca et al. (2020b)Chromatin and genomic DNA extracted from arm used to generate annotated draft genome of Architeuthis dux.
4994 July 2010near southern seamount off continental shelf out from Narooma, Australia
{SWP}
Found floating at surface"giant squid"Parts of head, arms, and tentacles[?]; partially eatenNone; discarded into oceanTL[AL?]: "close to" 3 m; ?EL: 5 m [estimate]Gorton (2010)Found by Narooma fisherman Tony Lawson and his crew while chasing bluefin tuna.
5007 August 2010 (morning)Houghton Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashore in stormwater channel, dead"giant squid"Entire; "in bad shape"Beak; other remains left to the elements, washed out to sea around 3 pm?EL: 3.5–4 m [estimate; "small"]NMNZHarvey (2010); [Anonymous] (2010g); Pollock (2010)Probably attacked at sea. Initially identified as a colossal squid by Department of Conservation Wellington area manager, Rob Stone. Correct identification by Te Papa communications manager, Jane Kieg. Te Papa only interested in beak for examination due to poor condition of specimen.
501early April 2011Fosa de Hércules, off Province of A Coruña, Spain, at 600 m depth
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntire, missing one tentacleEntireFemaleEL: 6 m; WT: 48 kgCEPESMA[Anonymous] (2011b); [Anonymous] (2011c)Caught by the trawler Minchos VI. Reported 11 April 2011; captured week prior. Both this specimen and another caught by Minchos VI the previous year were noted for differing anatomically from other Spanish giant squid specimens. Transferred to CEPESMA in Luarca for planned necropsy.
50226 June 2011 (morning)12 miles (19 km) off Jensen Beach, Florida, United States, over 170 ft (52 m) deep waters
{NWA}
Found floating at surface, dead [fide Mayfield (2011)] or "barely alive" [fide Torrent (2011)]Architeuthis duxEntire, "extremely well-preserved"; missing one tentacle, patches of red skin intactEntireFemale?EL: 23–25 ft (7.0–7.6 m) [19 ft (5.8 m) fide Roper et al. (2015:81)]; ?WL: 11 ft (3.4 m); WT: 200 lb (91 kg)Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida [specimen No. 28 of Roper et al. (2015)]Crabbe (2011); Mayfield (2011); Than (2011); Torrent (2011); Thomas (2011, 2 figs.); Roper et al. (2015:81)May have died shortly after mating. Found by Stuart fishermen Robert Benz, Paul Peroulakis, and Joey Asaro. Transferred to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field laboratory in Tequesta on 27 June 2011, and to University of Florida later that day. Genetic samples taken. Mantle injected with formalin and specimen submerged in 10% formalin as part of two-week preservation process.
503July 2011 (reported 24 August 2011)around 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Los Gigantes cliff, Tenerife, Canary Islands, over 800–1200 m deep waters
{NEA}
Found floating at/just below surface, deadArchiteuthisEntire, missing tentacles, eyes, ends of arms, patches of red skin intact; "in good general condition"Beak and sucker samplesFemale?EL: ~8 m [estimate with intact tentacles]Association for the Study of Cetaceans in the Canary Islands (SECAC)Corniola (2011); Lamar (2011)Millán (2019)Found by Aquawork film crew during filming of documentary on local cetaceans. Floating specimen filmed with diver. Several shearwaters observed in area prior to discovery of carcass.
50423 August 2011 (reported)Ocean Beach, entrance to Farewell Spit, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntireNone; left to the elements?EL: "nearly four metres"Gale (2011)Found by Paddy Gillooly of Farewell Spit Eco Tours.
50531 March 2012 (afternoon)Kaikoura Canyon, New Zealand
{SWP}
Male sperm whale photographed at surface with severed giant squid arm attached to side of head"giant squid"Single armNone; seen to have detached by following dayNoneNicoll (2012)Observed by Whale Watch Kaikoura tour group, including tour guide Sarah Rousseaux. Sperm whale (nicknamed "MatiMati") had been diving for around 45 minutes prior to observation.
1 June 2012about 50 km off Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia
{SWP}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthisEntire, portions of arms and tentacles missing, orange skin intact, not foul-smelling; likely very freshBeak and tissue samples; carcass too heavy to bring aboard?WL: 3 m [estimate]; WT: >400 lb (180 kg) [estimate]Australian MuseumHolland (2012); Smith (2012); Thomas (2012); Hill (2012); numerous media sourcesFound by The Daily Telegraph columnist Al McGlashan during tuna and swordfish fishing expedition, after spotting albatross sitting on carcass. Tied to boat; photographed and filmed over period of 3 hours. Blue shark measuring 2.5 m filmed feeding on remains. Others on board included Justin Lewis, a film crew, and Phil Bolton, fisheries officer with New South Wales Fishing and Aquaculture. Beak went on display as part of Australian Museum's Deep Ocean exhibition, beginning 16 June 2012.
506
(📷)
July 2012 (first video recorded about a week prior to #507)off Ogasawara Islands, Japan, at ~700 m depth
{NWP}
Filmed from remote camera system, aliveArchiteuthisFive recordings of live animals; likely multiple individualsNone?WL: ~4 m [estimate]Lyden (2013); Schrope (2013); Millikan (2013); Widder (2013a); Widder (2013b)Dery (2013); numerous media sourcesFirst video(s) of live giant squid in its natural deep-water habitat. Black-and-white footage recorded from "Medusa" system (bioluminescent "e-jelly" lure attached to remote camera with red light source) suspended from a floating buoy; first encounter took place during second deployment. Squid was seen fanning its arms and, in the fifth and final encounter, passing over the optical lure and "attacking" the camera system in a manner consistent with Edith Widder's "alarm hypothesis" (Schrope, 2013).
507
(📷)
July 2012~15 km east of Chichi Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan, initially at 630 m depth; later followed to ~900 m depth
{NWP}
Filmed and photographed from submersible, aliveArchiteuthisEntire, missing both tentaclesNoneWL: 3 m; EL: 8 m [estimate; if tentacles intact]Robey (2012); Schur (2013); Ito (2013); Revkin (2013); Mullen (2013); [Anonymous] (2013a); Lyden (2013); Schrope (2013); Millikan (2013); Dawkins (2013); Johnston (2013); Frazer (2013); Widder (2013a); Widder (2013b); [NHK] (2013a); [NHK] (2013b); [NHK] (2013c); [NHK] (2013d); Kubodera (2013a); Kubodera (2013b); Sakamoto (2013a); [NHK] (2014); Sakamoto (N.d.)Hellwarth (2012); Dery (2013); Sakamoto (2013b); Cronin (2016); Lamb (2018:50); numerous media sourcesWidely reported as first video of live giant squid in natural habitat (but see #506). Observed swimming against current and holding bait squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) in arms. Filmed from Triton 3300/3 submersible for 23 minutes by three-man crew comprising Tsunemi Kubodera, an NHK cameraman, and pilot Jim Harris, initially under low-light and then for 18 minutes under submersible's bright main lights, which apparently did not disturb the feeding squid. Expedition was joint effort by NHK, Discovery Channel, and Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science; scientific team was led by Kubodera, Steve O'Shea, and Edith Widder. Footage officially announced on 10 December 2012, by Robey (2012).
50810 October 2012 (afternoon)Playa de Getares, Punta Carnero, Algeciras, Andalusia, Spain
{MED}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireFemale (immature)EL: 6.45/7.5 m; ?WL: 3.6 m; WT: 70 kgEl Estrecho Natural Park[Anonymous] (2012a); [Anonymous] (2012b); [Anonymous] (2013b); [Anonymous] (2013c); [Anonymous] (2013d); Muñoz (2013); Prieto (2013); [Anonymous] (2013i)Numerous media sourcesLargest known specimen from Mediterranean. Found by volunteers who moved it to Cala Arenas, then handed over to CEGMA who transferred it to Algeciras for freezing. Dissected in front of TV cameras on 1 February 2013 by staff from CEPESMA, CSIC, and CEGMA, including Ángel Guerra and Luis Laria. Internal organs examined and tissues sampled for heavy metals and genetic analysis. Specimen found to be extremely thin, with changes in digestive gland and hematopoietic organs. Placed in methacrylate container, first in preservative fluid for 1.5–2 months, then formalin. On public display at El Estrecho Natural Park information point from 22 May through October 2013.
5093 February 2013 (morning)off Shark's Tooth point, South Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found floating at surface, dead but fresh"giant squid"Entire, posterior end of mantle missing (otherwise in "perfect" condition)EntireFemaleEL: ~8 m [estimated ~11 m if complete]; TL: ~6.5 m; WT: >140/150 kg [estimate?]Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium / NMNZ (one tentacle)[Anonymous] (2013e); Dangerfield (2013a); Dangerfield (2013b); Williams (2013)Hill (2015); numerous media sourcesOn public display. Found by Christchurch recreational fishermen Jack and Sharon Osikai around 8 am while returning from fishing trip; towed ashore behind boat. Marine biologist Megan Bosch of Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium speculated bite marks on mantle might have resulted from attack by larger squid. Bosch dissected specimen live on TV3's Campbell Live on 4 February 2013. Stomach contents found to be "well-digested". Specimen on display at aquarium from March 2013 in five custom-made glass containers each holding different parts.
51019 April 2013 (early morning)Uchinoura Bay, off Uchinoura, Kimotsuki District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan (31°17′N 131°08′E) at 45 m depth
{NWP}
Caught alive in set netArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireUnclear (young)EL: 608.5 mm; ML: 140.8 mm; VML: 131.0 mm; MW: 29.4 mm [maximum]; HL: 34.7 mm; HW: 32.2 mm; FL: 56.2 mm; FW: 40.5 mm; EyD: 18.2 mm; LRL: 2.2 mm; URL: 2.0 mm; FuCL: 10.2/8.7 mm [left/right]; FuCW: 2.9/2.7 mm [left/right]; WT: 44.8 g; extensive additional measurementsKagoshima City Aquarium "Io World"Wada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015); Yuhas (2015)Shimada et al. (2017:9); numerous media sourcesCaught by Shioji Maru. Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis. Exhibited at Kagoshima City Aquarium "Io World" between 20 November 2015 and 31 January 2016, preserved in ethanol.
51128 April 2013near Cape Campbell Lighthouse, Marlborough, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire, missing tentacles and arm tips, bite damage (otherwise in good condition; eye(s) and red skin intact)None; left to decompose on beachWL: 1.5 m; AL: ~0.5 mKirk (2013); [Anonymous] (2013f)Found by Marlborough resident Jason Gluer while quad biking. Inspected by ranger and photographs sent to Te Papa for research purposes. Measurements provided by Department of Conservation spokesperson Clare Duston.
512
(📷)
30 May 2013off Brazil (25°36′S 042°21′W; see map)
{SWA}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; "looked relatively well preserved, but had begun to deteriorate due to wave action"None; not collected"length": ~2 m [estimate]Leite et al. (2016)Sighted by three Marine Mammal Observers (Luciana Leite, Daniel Campbell & Leonardo Versiani) on duty on board an operating seismic vessel. As the specimen was not examined its death cannot be unequivocally attributed to the seismic activity. Species identified by teuthologist Ángel Guerra from photograph by Leite. A "similar, smaller squid" was seen by Versiani in the same area earlier that month, but no photos were taken.
51314 June 2013off Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (34°56′N 131°59′E) at 120–130 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in purse seine netArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireUnclear (young)EL: 1629.0 mm; ML: 332.0 mm; MW: 88.5 mm [maximum]; HL: 47.0 mm; HW: 43.1 mm; FL: 100.1 mm; FW: 63.1 mm; EyD: 36.3 mm; LRL: 4.0 mm; URL: 4.2 mm; FuCL: 30.1/28.3 mm [left/right]; FuCW: 6.7/6.7 mm [left/right]; WT: 390.6 g; extensive additional measurementsShimane Prefectural Fisheries Technology CenterWada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015); Yuhas (2015)Shimada et al. (2017:9); numerous media sourcesCaught by Yoshikatsu Maru in same purse seine net as 1487 mm EL specimen; one of the two was exhibited at the Shimane Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center from 18 March 2015, preserved in ethanol (Shimada et al., 2017:9). Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis.
51414 June 2013off Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (34°56′N 131°59′E) at 120–130 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in purse seine netArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireUnclear (young)EL: 1487.0 mm; ML: 332.0 mm; MW: 58.5 mm [maximum]; HL: 33.0 mm; HW: 38.5 mm; FL: 111.9 mm; FW: 67.3 mm; EyD: 36.2 mm; LRL: 4.2 mm; URL: 4.1 mm; FuCL: 27.0/26.5 mm [left/right]; FuCW: 6.4/6.7 mm [left/right]; WT: 357.0 g; extensive additional measurementsShimane Prefectural Fisheries Technology CenterWada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015); Yuhas (2015)Shimada et al. (2017:9); numerous media sourcesCaught by Yoshikatsu Maru in same purse seine net as 1629 mm EL specimen; one of the two was exhibited at the Shimane Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center from 18 March 2015, preserved in ethanol (Shimada et al., 2017:9). Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis.
515
(📷)
2013McDougalls Bay, South Africa
{SEA}
Found washed ashore, aliveArchiteuthisEntire; eye(s) and skin largely intact, tentacles missingScheepers (2017)Kemper (2017:2)Photographed on beach while alive ("still breathing").
16 August 2013 (afternoon)~0.5 miles (0.80 km) off Merón beach, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire, fresh; with multiple bite marks, missing ends of arms and tentacles, eyes intactEntireFemaleWT: >70/80 kg; EL: 8 m [estimate]CEPESMARamos (2013); [Anonymous] (2013j); [Anonymous] (2013k); [Anonymous] (2013l); [Anonymous] (2013m); Salas (2013)Likely carried from Carrandi Trench by strong northeast winds. Found by Gijón fishermen Caesar Ceñal and Pachi Sánchez. Brought to Gijón port and there examined by Luis Laria. Transferred by CEPESMA to Museo del Calamar Gigante in Luarca and frozen for necropsy. Necropsied on 29 September 2013 with male specimen from Palombina. Cause of death determined to be asphyxiation by larger female of possibly more than twice its weight, according to Luis Laria.
516mid-September 2013 [recovered just over 10 days prior to 1 October]Palombina beach, Llanes, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthisEntire; poor conditionEntireMaleWT: 55 kgCEPESMASalas (2013); [Anonymous] (2013m); del Castillo (2013)Necropsied on 29 September 2013 with female specimen from Merón.
5171 October 2013 (morning)by mouth of Deva River, La Arena beach, near Pechón, Val de San Vicente, Cantabria, Spain
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire, missing skin and part of one tentacle, eyes present though burst; good condition with no external signs of bites or attacksEntireFemale (adult)EL: 8.08 m; ML: 1.68 m; HL: 40 cm; AL: 2.3 m; TL: 6 m; WT: 150 kgMaritime Museum of Cantabriadel Castillo (2013); Chato (2013); San José (2013); [Anonymous] (2013n); [Anonymous] (2013o); [Anonymous] (2013p); Thomas (2013); Bryner (2013)Bolívar (2015); numerous media sourcesFound and documented by underwater photographer Enrique Talledo. Moved to Maritime Museum of Cantabria in Santander where specimen was cleaned, sampled for analysis, and placed in cold storage (initial cold shock at −20 °C followed by −18 °C) under direction of Gerardo García-Castrillo. On morning of 2 October specimen was injected with alcohol, covered with paper moistened with 10% formalin, and finally covered with transparent film; may eventually be put on display. Entire length initially reported as >10 m and weight as 170, 174, or 180 kg.
19 October 2013 (morning)Grosse Bucht, near Lüderitz, ǃNamiǂNûs, Namibia
{SEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthisEntire, in "decomposed state"; most limbs missingML: 1.35 m; ?EL: 4–5 m [estimate]; AC: 18 cm ["tentacles"]Ngulu (2013)Kemper (2017:2)Found by someone on 19 October, then again the next day by Walvis Bay resident Johan van den Westhuizen, who provided measurements. Marine scientist Jean-Paul Roux from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources said "inspectors could not verify the species due its decomposed state".
5184 January 2014off Himi-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.54°N 137.04°E / 36.54; 137.04 (Giant squid specimen)) at <100 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for Japanese amberjack, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 350 cm[specimen A-1 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014); Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Fuji News Network report, 4 January 2014; [Anonymous] (2014h); Sakamoto (2014)Found by fisherman; landed at Himi fishing port. Covered by TBS News.
519
(📷)
8 January 2014 (morning)1 km off Shirose, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.07°N 138.27°E / 38.07; 138.27 (Giant squid specimen)) at 70 m depth
{NWP}
Found in stationary net; filmed alive at surface; died during retrievalArchiteuthis duxEntireEntire; missing tentacles and most of red skinFemale [fide Kubodera et al. (2016); reported as male by other sources]DML: 187 cm; WL: 411.4 cm [406 cm fide Kubodera et al. (2016)]; EL: ~8 m [estimate]; WT: 163 kgFisheries Ocean Research Institute, Niigata Prefecture [specimen A-2 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Yamamoto (2014); Thomas (2014); [Anonymous] (2014a); Hofilena (2014); Krishnan (2014); Saijo (2014); Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014); [Anonymous] (2015a); Higuchi et al. (2016); Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014); numerous media sourcesCaught by fisherman Shigenori Goto, who also caught specimen on 10 February 2014. Found in net for Japanese amberjacks (Seriola quinqueradiata) at 70 m depth at around 7 am local time; video footage recorded. Animal died shortly after being brought to surface. Reported by M. Higuchi of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute (where specimen was studied), who photographed it in Sado Ryotsu Fishing Port. Delivered frozen to Sapporo Maruyama Zoo in Hokkaido, where thawed, spread out for display and frozen again; briefly exhibited there in frozen state in the open air from 1 January 2015 (freezing temperatures at the time kept it "fresh"). Visitors were invited to touch it but warned of its strong smell.
52019 January 2014Arahama Beach, Kashiwazaki-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37.24°N 138.34°E / 37.24; 138.34 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxHead and arms only; tentacles missingAL: 1.2 m[specimen A-3 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Yoshikawa (2014); Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014)Found by local people. Reported by K. Minowa of Kashiwazaki City Museum.
52120 January 2014 [21 January fide Yoshikawa (2014) and Shimada et al. (2017:9)]off Ajiro port, Iwami / 30 km off Aoya-cho, Tottori-shi, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (35.52°N 134.11°E / 35.52; 134.11 (Giant squid specimen)) at 236 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in bottom gillnets for flounder, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingEntireFemale (mature)DML: 170 cm [148 cm fide Shimada et al. (2017:9)]; WL: 340 cm [3.2 m fide Shimada et al. (2017:9)]; EL: ~8 m [estimate]San'in Kaigan Geopark Museum of the Earth and Sea [specimen A-4 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014); Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014); Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Found by fisherman and reported by T. Wada. Photographed next to person (see Yoshikawa, 2014). Exhibited at San'in Kaigan Geopark Museum of the Earth and Sea from 2 February 2016, preserved in formalin.
52210 February 2014 [11 February fide Yoshikawa (2014)]2 km off Shirose, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.08°N 138.30°E / 38.08; 138.30 (Giant squid specimen)) at <274 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in bottom gillnets for anglerfish, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingMaleDML: 136 cm; WL: 305 cm; WT: ~100 kg[specimen A-5 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Yoshikawa (2014); Higuchi et al. (2016); Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014)Caught by fisherman Shigenori Goto, who also caught specimen on 8 January 2014. Reported by M. Higuchi of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute, who photographed and dissected it with his co-worker at Niigata Sado Ryotsu Fishing Port.
52313 February 2014off Washizaki, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.19°N 138.33°E / 38.19; 138.33 (Giant squid specimen)) at <159 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactMaleDML: 91 cm; EL: 394 cm; WT: 25.2 kg[specimen A-6 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014)Reported by S. Abe of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute, who photographed it in Sado Washizaki Fishing Port.
524
(📷)
25 February 2014 (morning)~5 km from Moroyose fishing port, Shinonsen, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (35.38°N 134.25°E / 35.38; 134.25 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Photographed alive at surface; snared with rope; died during retrievalArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingNot statedFemaleWL: 4.13 m [410 cm fide Kubodera et al. (2016)]; EL: 8–9 m [estimate]; WT: 150–200 kg [~200 kg fide Kubodera et al. (2016)][specimen A-7 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014f); Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014)Spotted by fisherman Tetsuo Okamoto while diving for turban shells at around 10:30 am local time. Squid swam above Okamoto when he was at depth of ~8 m. Squid was secured to boat with a rope and taken to Moroyose port; video footage of live animal recorded. Reported by T. Yamaguchi of NHK.
5252 March 2014on the shore of Shiidomari, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.08°N 138.29°E / 38.08; 138.29 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingFemaleDML: 135 cm; WL: 285 cm[specimen A-8 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014)Reported by S. Abe of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute, who photographed it as found.
5264 March 2014on the rocky shore of Akasaki, Kotoura-cho, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (35.31°N 133.37°E / 35.31; 133.37 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntireDML: 120.8 cm; EL: 462.5 cm[specimen A-9 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Reported by T. Wada.
5275 March 2014off Amarube, Kasumi-ku, Kami-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (30.53°N 134.34°E / 30.53; 134.34 (Giant squid specimen)) at <223 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawl for firefly squid, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactDML: 123 cm; EL: 430 cm; WT: 50 kg[specimen A-10 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Found by fisherman and reported by T. Wada. Displayed at Kinosaki Marine World.
528
(📷)
12 March 2014Tokyo Bay, ~50 m offshore, off Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found floating at surface; captured alive; housed in tank and transported by truck but "died several hours after being caught"ArchiteuthisEntireEntire, including internal organs; tentacles intact, red skin partly intactFemale (immature)ML: 91 cm; EL: 4.38 m [initially reported as 3.6 m]; WT: 24.28 kg; extensive additional measurements [see [Keikyu] (2014b)]Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park[Anonymous] (2014g); [Anonymous] (2014t); [Anonymous] (2014u); [Anonymous] (2014v); [Anonymous] (2014w); [Keikyu] (2014a); [Keikyu] (2014b)[Anonymous] (2015i); Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Caught by local fisherman affiliated with Kanagawa Eastern Fisheries Cooperative Association. Public dissection carried out by Tsunemi Kubodera, Toshiaki Kuramochi and Akiko Yatabe at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park, Miura, on 8 August 2014 (covered by TV Tokyo). Dissection took 2 hours and involved removal of internal organs, sex determination, and measurements. Small fish bones found in stomach and scales (likely from sardine) in buccal area. Specimen estimated to be 1–2 years old. On display at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park (as is #578) in acrylic tank (2 m × 1 m × 55 cm), preserved in formalin, from 13 September 2014.
52916 March 2014Benten-hama, Itoigawa-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37.04°N 137.56°E / 37.04; 137.56 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingFemaleDML: 196 cm; WL: 446 cm; WT: ~200 kg[specimen A-11 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014)Reported and photographed as found by M. Baba of Joetsu Aquarium Museum.
53024 March 201430 km off Mishima, Hagi-shi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (35.08°N 131.10°E / 35.08; 131.10 (Giant squid specimen)) at <121 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactEntireMaleDML: 116 cm; WL: 270 cm; EL: 5.71 mShimane AQUAS Aquarium [specimen A-12 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014); Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Found by fisherman and reported by T. Fujita of Shimane AQUAS Aquarium, where specimen has been on display since 18 March 2015, preserved in formalin.
53126 March 2014 (early morning)200 m off Hayoshi Port, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.07°N 138.26°E / 38.07; 138.26 (Giant squid specimen)) at ~20 m depth [<206 m fide Kubodera et al. (2016)]
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intact, red skin missingEntireFemaleDML: 84 cm; EL: 448 cm; WT: 33.2 kgNational Museum of Nature and Science facility (Tsukuba) [specimen A-13 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kakuno (2014); Higuchi et al. (2016); Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014)Caught by local fisherman Yuji Kawaguchi. Reported by M. Higuchi of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute.
53226 March 2014off Ryotsu Port, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.04°N 138.26°E / 38.04; 138.26 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found floating at surface, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles, eye(s) and red skin intactEntireMaleDML: 110 cm; EL: 435 cm; WT: 37.7 kgNational Museum of Nature and Science facility (Tsukuba) [specimen A-14 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kakuno (2014); Higuchi et al. (2016); Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Sakamoto (2014)Caught later the same day as Hayoshi Port specimen, by different local fisherman. Reported by M. Higuchi of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute, who photographed it in Sado Ryotsu Fishing Port.
5337 April 2014Toyama Bay, 1 km off Yokataminatomachi, Toyama-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.46°N 137.15°E / 36.46; 137.15 (Giant squid specimen)) at <100 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for firefly squid, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; missing ends of tentacle(s)Not statedMaleDML: ~1.5 m; WL: ~3.5 m; EL: 7 m [estimate][specimen A-15 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014h); Kubodera et al. (2016)The Sankei Shimbun, 7 April 2014; [Anonymous] (2014i); [Anonymous] (2014m); Sakamoto (2014)Alive at time of capture, dead when landed. Found by fisherman; examined and measured by expert(s) from Uozu Aquarium.
534
(📷)
8 April 2014 (morning)Toyama Bay, 1.5 km off Shinminato, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.48°N 137.07°E / 36.48; 137.07 (Giant squid specimen)) at <300 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawl, alive; briefly kept alive in tankArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactNot statedDML: 110 cm; WL: 275 cm; EL: 510 m[specimen A-16 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014i); [Anonymous] (2014j); Kubodera et al. (2016)The Sankei Shimbun, 8 April 2014; [Anonymous] (2014m); Sakamoto (2014)Second specimen from Toyama Bay in two days. Caught in net for Japanese glass shrimp (fide Kubodera et al., 2016) or Metapenaeopsis lata (broad velvet shrimp). Landed at Shinminato fishing port. Survived in tank for two hours after landing. Tasted by Kazuhisa Hagiwara of Shinminato Fisheries Cooperative Association who described it as very salty. Osamu Inamura, director of Uozu Aquarium, suggested global warming might be responsible for influx of specimens as giant squid's range is pushed northward.
5359 April 2014west of Nekozaki Peninsula, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (35.40°N 134.45°E / 35.40; 134.45 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactDML: 112 cm; EL: 594 cmKinosaki Marine World [specimen A-17 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Found by angler and reported by T. Wada.
53612 April 2014 (morning)off Aika-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (35.30°N 132.54°E / 35.30; 132.54 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found floating at water's edge, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntireNot statedEL: ~5 m[specimen A-18 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014k); Kubodera et al. (2016)The Shikoku Shimbun, 12 April 2014; Sakamoto (2014)Found by Etsuo Harada and others at 9 am. Pulled to land and died soon afterwards.
53712 April 2014off Waki, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.09°N 138.29°E / 38.09; 138.29 (Giant squid specimen)) at <200 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netArchiteuthis duxEntire?DML: ~100 cm[specimen A-19 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Reported by M. Higuchi of the Niigata Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Research Institute.
53813 April 2014at the mouth of Yoshida river, Makidani, Iwami-cho, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (35.35°N 134.2°E / 35.35; 134.2 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactFemaleDML: 121.5 cm; EL: 637 cm[specimen A-20 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Reported by T. Wada.
53918 April 2014 (morning)2/3 km off Ohtomari-machi, Nanao-shi, Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (36.58°N 137.05°E / 36.58; 137.05 (Giant squid specimen)) at <94 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for Japanese amberjack, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactNot statedML: 0.78 m; EL: 4.7/4.8 m; WT: ~30/50 kg[specimen A-21 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014l); [Anonymous] (2014m); [Anonymous] (2014n); Shinya (2014); Kubodera et al. (2016)The Hokkoku Shimbun, 19 April 2014; [Anonymous] (2014q); [Anonymous] (2014r); [Anonymous] (2014s); Sakamoto (2014)Became entangled in fixed net around 5:30 am. Taken in Styrofoam box to supermarket in Shinbohon, Kanazawa, and there displayed on ice between 18 and 19 April. Identification confirmed by Shinichiro Ikeguchi, assistant director of Notojima Aquarium, based on size and fin shape.
54020 April 2014~130 km off Kitadaito, [Daitō Islands], Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, at 500 m depth
{NWP}
Caughtgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire, fresh; missing ends of tentacles and some armsEntireWL: ~2.7 m; WT: ~32 kgOkinawa Churaumi Aquarium?[Anonymous] (2014o)Caught by fishermen targeting Thysanoteuthis rhombus (ソデイカ). Transferred to Okinawa Churashima Foundation in Motobu, where specimen was examined beginning on 25 April. Photographed being measured, later fixed in formalin.
541
(📷)
27 April 2014 (morning)~1 km off Furai port, Saikai, Shika-machi, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (37.07°N 136.39°E / 37.07; 136.39 (Giant squid specimen)) at <57 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, alive; briefly kept alive in tankArchiteuthis duxEntire, good condition; eyes, tentacles and some red skin intactEntireFemale [fide Kubodera et al. (2016); reported as male by other sources]DML: 111 cm; WL: 289 cm; EL: 5.02 m [565 cm fide Kubodera et al. (2016)]; WT: ~60 kgNotojima Aquarium [specimen A-22 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014p); [Anonymous] (2014q); [Anonymous] (2014r); [Anonymous] (2014s); Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014)Caught around 4:30 am by fishermen including deputy helmsman Isamu Mukai and landed in Togi fishing port. Still alive, specimen was transported in container to Notojima Aquarium in Nanao, but died 3 hours after capture. During transport, specimen was observed opening and closing its eyes and hyponome and clinging to container with its suckers; video footage of live animal recorded. Measured at aquarium and displayed there between 3 and 5 May (Golden Week); also dissected there. Reported by S. Ikeguchi of Notojima Aquarium.
5426 May 2014north off Kyotango-cho, Kyotango-shi, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (35.52°N 135.05°E / 35.52; 135.05 (Giant squid specimen)) at <218 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawl, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire?None; discardedDML: ~100 cmNone [specimen A-23 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Sakamoto (2014)Found by fisherman and reported by Y. Ueno of the Fisheries Technology Department, Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center.
5437 May 2014off Awashima Island, Awashimaura-mura, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.26°N 139.17°E / 38.26; 139.17 (Giant squid specimen)) at <79 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactDML: 92 cm; EL: 420 cm[specimen A-24 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Nigataken Suikaiken Dayori (No. 30)
5444 September 2014off Hamada-shi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (35.02°N 131.39°E / 35.02; 131.39 (Giant squid specimen)) at 120 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net?Architeuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingEntireMaleDML: 140 cm; WL: 314 cmShimane AQUAS Aquarium [specimen B-1 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Isobe (2019)Reported by T. Fujita of Shimane AQUAS Aquarium, where specimen was exhibited.
5457 September 2014~100 miles (160 km) off Matagorda coast, Texas, United States (Gulf of Mexico)
{NWA}
Found floating at surface, dead"giant squid"Entire; missing red skin and posterior end of mantle (bite marks)Not stated?EL: 10 ft (3.0 m); WT: 200 lb (91 kg)"donated to researchers"Azad (2014); Alexander (2014)Found by fisherman Michael Belvin when returning from fishing trip with friends. Identification confirmed by Houston Zoo aquarium supervisor Mike Concannon. Belvin speculated it might have been attacked by a mako shark, based on bite marks. Find covered by KTRK-TV.
54622 October 2014900 m off Komeno, Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (35.53°N 135.58°E / 35.53; 135.58 (Giant squid specimen)) at 65 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles largely missingMaleDML: 117 cm; WL: 264 cm; EL: 288 cm; WT: ~40 kg[specimen B-2 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Reported and photographed by S. Sasai of Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, where specimen was exhibited for four days.
547
(📷)
8 November 20141 km off Waki, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.09°N 138.29°E / 38.09; 138.29 (Giant squid specimen)) at <200 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacle(s) presentEL: 260 cm; WT: ~25 kg[specimen B-3 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014x); Kubodera et al. (2016); Higuchi et al. (2016)The Asahi Shimbun, 11 November 2014Displayed at Sado Fish Festival in Ryotsu Port, Sado, on 9 November.
54820 November 2014east of Okinoshima, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (36.16°N 133.4°E / 36.16; 133.4 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in purse seine, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missing, head and mantle separatedFemaleDML: 183.5 cm; WT: 130 kg[specimen B-4 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Reported by K. Ichisawa of Tottori Prefectural Museum. Landed at Sakai port.
54924 November 2014off Tsunegami Peninsula, around Ongami-jima, Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (35.38°N 135.47°E / 35.38; 135.47 (Giant squid specimen)) at <60 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net?, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire, good condition; tentacle(s) presentEntireMaleDML: 137 cm [134 cm fide Shimada et al. (2017:9)]; EL: 740 cm; WT: ~60 kgEchizen Matsushima Aquarium [specimen B-5 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)The Chunichi Shimbun, 24 November 2014; Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Examined at Echizen Matsushima Aquarium and exhibited there since 27 March 2015, preserved in formalin. Photographed laid out on tarpaulin by S. Sasai.
55024 November 20141 km off Tangocho-taiza, Kyotango-shi, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (35.45°N 135.04°E / 35.45; 135.04 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis duxHead and arms only; tentacles missingNoneAL: 1.2 m[specimen B-6 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Discovered by an angler and reported by Y. Ueno of the Fisheries Technology Department, Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center, who photographed it in the water. Specimen left undisturbed.
551
(📷)
27 November 20143.3 km off Yahatacho, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.49°N 137.07°E / 36.49; 137.07 (Giant squid specimen)) at 330 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in bottom trawl for glass shrimp, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacle(s) presentDML: 155 cm; EL: 630 cm[specimen B-7 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Chunichi Shimbun 27 November 2014Served at an event after being hard cured.
5529 December 2014Kirihama beach, Takenocho, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (35.39°N 134.44°E / 35.39; 134.44 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 350 cm; WT: ~100 kgMuseum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo [specimen B-8 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Discovered by local people and reported by T. Wada of Shimane AQUAS Aquarium.
553
(📷)
23 December 2014off Ineura, Ine, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (35.38°N 135.17°E / 35.38; 135.17 (Giant squid specimen)) at <60 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingEntireWL: 3.2 m [~2.5 m after drying]; BL+HL?: 2.3 m; WT: ~70 kgKyoto Aquarium [specimen B-9 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014y); [Anonymous] (2015j); [Anonymous] (2015k); [Anonymous] (2015l); [Anonymous] (2015m); [Anonymous] (2016g); Kubodera et al. (2016)Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Died during retrieval. Stored frozen at Kyoto Aquarium where on public display 24–25 December 2014; subsequently sent to research facility. Specially dried by seafood processing company Gogyofuku Co. over 8 days beginning on 16 July 2015 (this process takes half a day for a squid of normal size); shrunk considerably during processing. Displayed at Suma Aqualife Park in Kobe from 30 July to 8 November 2015, and in Kyoto Aquarium from 20 April 2016.
55424 December 2014Honjyo beach, Ine, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (35.43°N 135.16°E / 35.43; 135.16 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; only one tentacle presentDML: 178 cm; EL: 507 cm; WT: ~100 kg[specimen B-10 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Discovered by local people and reported by Y. Ueno of the Fisheries Technology Department, Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center, which recovered the specimen.
55528 December 2014600 m off Tomari, Obama-shi, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (35.32°N 135.42°E / 35.32; 135.42 (Giant squid specimen)) at <20 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingNone; returned to seaWL: ~300 cm[specimen B-11 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Fukui Shimbun 28 December 2014
556
(📷)
31 December 20142 km off Toyama-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.13°E / 36.47; 137.13 (Giant squid specimen)) at <100 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missing?WL: ~6 m[specimen B-12 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2014z); Kubodera et al. (2016)Video footage recorded.
5576 January 2015Oobaneo beach, Iwami, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (35.36°N 134.2°E / 35.36; 134.2 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingDML: 180.5 cm; WL: 355 cm[specimen B-13 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Discovered by local people and reported by Y. Kiyosue of Notojima Seaside Park, who photographed it as found.
55813 January 2015south of Tsubakiyama, Henashi, Fukaura-machi, Aomori Prefecture, Japan (40.35°N 139.51°E / 40.35; 139.51 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingMaleDML: 127 cm[specimen B-14 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 2 figs. in supplementary material)Found by fisherman and reported by E. Koganezaki of the Ajigasawa Fisheries Office, who photographed it as found and dissected in situ. Specimen had empty stomach.
55915 January 2015500 m off Iino, Nyuzen-cho, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.56°N 137.25°E / 36.56; 137.25 (Giant squid specimen)) at 50–60 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for amberjackArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 420 cm[specimen B-15 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Found by fisherman and reported by M. Kanbayashi of Kitanihon Broadcasting.
56019 January 20152 km off Shinminato, Hachiman-machi, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.06°E / 36.47; 137.06 (Giant squid specimen)) at 60 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntireDML: ~200 cm; EL: ~600 cm; WT: ~200 kg[specimen B-16 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Toyama Shimbun, 20 January 2015Found by fisherman. Exhibited at Michinoeki Shinminato.
561
(📷)
19 January 20152 km off Yokata fishing port, Toyama-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.46°N 137.11°E / 36.46; 137.11 (Giant squid specimen)) at 90 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, alive; filmed in water by diversArchiteuthis duxEntireWL: ~300 cm[specimen B-17 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2015d); Kubodera et al. (2016)Fuji News Network report, 19 January 2015Found by fisherman. Video footage recorded.
562
(📷)
22 January 20152 km off Iwase, Toyama-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.14°E / 36.47; 137.14 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for amberjack, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacle(s) presentDML: ~200 cm; EL: ~600 cm; ?WL: ~3 m[specimen B-18 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2015b); [Anonymous] (2015c); Kubodera et al. (2016)The Kitanippon Shimbun, 23 January 2015Found alive in stationary net around 3:30 am; caught with school of Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus). Filmed and photographed alive in net. Died shortly after being pulled onto ship. Landed at Iwase port and there measured.
563
(📷)
24 January 2015 (reported)off Daitō Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Filmed alive at surface"大王イカ"Entire, good condition; red skin somewhat damagedNone givenUchima (2015)Filmed grasping Thysanoteuthis rhombus caught on fishing lure; seen inking after releasing prey.
29 January 2015off Shinminato, Hachiman-machi, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.07°E / 36.47; 137.07 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingDML: 170 cm; WL: ~400 cm[specimen B-19 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Kitanippon Shimbun, 30 January 2015Found by fisherman. Specimen B-20 was found nearby on the same day.
56429 January 2015off Shinminato, Hachiman-machi, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.07°E / 36.47; 137.07 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireML: 180 cm; EL: 6.3 m; WT: 150 kg [fide Shimada et al. (2017:9); none given by Kubodera et al. (2016)][specimen B-20 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Kitanippon Shimbun, 30 January 2015; Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Found by fisherman. Specimen B-19 was found nearby on the same day. Exhibited in dry state at local fish market (新湊きっときと市場) from February 2015.
565
(📷)
3 February 2015 (morning)2 km off Yokata fishing port, Toyama-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.46°N 137.11°E / 36.46; 137.11 (Giant squid specimen)) at 78.4 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, alive; filmed in water by two divers; swam away slowly once releasedArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missing, red skin somewhat damagedNoneDML: ~200 cm; WL: ~400 cmNone [specimen B-21 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2015e); Kubodera et al. (2016)Fuji News Network report, 4 February 2015; Wakabayashi (2016); Matsumoto (2019a, fig.)Found by fisherman. Video footage recorded; seen inking. Featured in Japanese documentary (Matsumoto, 2019a, b).
5664 February 20151 km off Aoshima, Uozu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.5°N 137.23°E / 36.5; 137.23 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netArchiteuthis duxEntireWL: ~400 cm[specimen B-22 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Toyama Television report, 4 February 2015Found by fisherman.
5676 February 2015500 m off Kodomari, Misakimachi, Suzu-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (37.26°N 137.22°E / 37.26; 137.22 (Giant squid specimen)) at 40 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, alive; releasedArchiteuthis duxEntireWL: 335 cm[specimen B-23 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Hokkoku Shimbun, 6 February 2015Found by fisherman.
5687 February 20152 km off Iorimachi, Nanao-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (37.02°N 137.04°E / 37.02; 137.04 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 420 cm; WT: ~200 kg[specimen B-24 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Yomiuri Shimbun, 8 February 2015Found by fisherman. Exhibited at Notojima Seaside Park.
5697 February 20152 km off Shichimi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (37.15°N 137.07°E / 37.15; 137.07 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 360 cm; WT: ~150 kg[specimen B-25 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Yomiuri Shimbun, 8 February 2015Found by fisherman. Exhibited at Notojima Seaside Park.
57016 February 20151.5 km off Shirouse, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (38.07°N 138.28°E / 38.07; 138.28 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 415 cm[specimen B-26 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Niigata Nippo, 16 February 2015Found by fisherman. Exhibited at a local supermarket.
57117 February 2015Gunkan rock, Gumizaki-cho, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (36.02°N 136°E / 36.02; 136 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded at rock reef, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingNoneFemaleDML: 175 cm; WL: 377 cmNone [specimen B-27 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 2 figs. in supplementary material)Found by local people and reported by S. Sasai of Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, who photographed specimen. Dissected and then discarded.
57218 February 2015Tsunoshima, Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (34.21°N 130.51°E / 34.21; 130.51 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded at rock reef, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingWL: 286 cm; WT: 65.5 kg[specimen B-28 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)The Yamaguchi Shimbun, 19 February 2015Found by a tourist. Exhibited at Shimonoseki Kaikyokan aquarium during the summer holidays.
573
(📷)
23 February 2015 (morning)ferry pier Koshinokata-machi, Imizushi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.46°N 137.06°E / 36.46; 137.06 (Giant squid specimen)) at 1 m depth
{NWP}
Found floating at surface, alive; swam awayArchiteuthis duxEntire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intactNoneWL: 250–300 cmNone [specimen B-29 of Kubodera et al. (2016)][Anonymous] (2015f); Kubodera et al. (2016)Tulip Television report, 23 February 2015Spotted by harbour official at around 8:50 am.
5741 March 20151–3 km off Namerikawa-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (36.47°N 137.19°E / 36.47; 137.19 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net for firefly squid, alive; disposed of at seaArchiteuthis duxEntireNoneDML: ~200 cmNone [specimen B-30 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Toyama Television report, 1 March 2015Found by fisherman.
5751 March 2015off Takasu, Hamaju-cho, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (36.07°N ?°E) at 200 m depth
{NWP}
By bottom trawl, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingFemaleDML: 177 cm; WL: 376 cm[specimen B-31 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016)Found by fisherman and reported by S. Sasai of Echizen Matsushima Aquarium. Specimen had empty stomach.
10 March 2015Osaki beach, Nishiyama-cho, Kashiwazaki-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37.29°N 138.38°E / 37.29; 138.38 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingDML: 161 cm; WL: 327 cm[specimen B-32 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Found by local people. Reported and photographed by K. Minowa of Kashiwazaki City Museum.
576
(📷)
25 March 2015 (reported)off Okinoerabujima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed alive at surfacegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intact?WL: ~5 m [estimate][Anonymous] (2015g); [Anonymous] (2015h)Photographed alive at surface by fisherman Shigeki Yamashita. Pink fishing lure (20 cm long) attracted large Thysanoteuthis rhombus (~1.2 m long, >20 kg), which in turn attracted giant squid.
57726 March 2015Yoneyama beach, Kashiwazaki-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37.18°N 138.25°E / 37.18; 138.25 (Giant squid specimen))
{NWP}
Found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingNoneDML: 190 cm; WL: 360 cmNone [specimen B-33 of Kubodera et al. (2016)]Kubodera et al. (2016, 1 fig. in supplementary material)Found by local people. Reported and photographed by M. Baba of Joetsu Aquarium Museum. Swept out to sea.
578
(📷)
6 May 2015 (afternoon)Tokyo Bay, Otsu fishing port, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found floating at surface, alive; scooped up with rake net and placed in water tank; died soon afterwardsArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireUnknown (juvenile)EL: 126.4 cm; DML: 29.0 cm; HL+AL: 46.6 cm; FL: 95.0 mm; FW: 69.7 mm; WT: 1.034 kgKeikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park[Anonymous] (2015i); [Keikyu] (2015a); [Keikyu] (2015b)Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Found by fisherman Seiichi Ogawa while catching sea cucumbers. Briefly kept alive in tank. Frozen until examination at National Museum of Nature and Science facility (Tsukuba) on 29 June 2015, when identified as giant squid. On display at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park (as is #528) from 29 November 2015; embedded in transparent acrylic block (88 cm × 33 cm × 7.8 cm) and installed on automatic rotating table to allow viewing from all sides. Specimen may belong to long arm type or middle arm type; cannot be determined due to juvenile nature. Estimated to be <1 year old.
13 May 2015 (morning)South Bay beach, Kaikoura, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashore"giant squid"EntireEntireBL: ~2 m; TL: >5 m; EyD: 19 cmKaikoura Marine Centre and AquariumHill (2015)Numerous media sourcesFound by Bruce Bennett at 8:30 am while walking dog. Moved to Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium and stored there in freezer.
5796 August 2015 (morning)~50 miles (80 km) north of Getaria and Zumaia, opposite Lekeitio, Basque Country, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntireEntireWL: <8 m; ?WL: ~4.5 m; WT: >80 kgCEPESMA (Parque de la Vida, Valdés)Bolívar (2015); Gómez & Bolívar (2015)[Anonymous] (2015o); Del Gallo (2015)Caught by fisherman Antonio Do Veriño. Landed in port of Santander where it was auctioned and won by BM supermarkets, which placed it on display at their store on Rubén Darío street, Sardinero, Santander. Later handed over to Instituto Español de Oceanografía, who passed it on to CEPESMA in Luarca.
[12]last week of September 2015off Hawaii
{NEP}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis?; Megalocranchia cf. fisheri (Berry, 1909)Entire; several limbs missing, bite mark in headEntire?EL: ≥7 ft (2.1 m); WT: 52.7 lb (23.9 kg)[Anonymous] (2015n); Mosendz (2015)Non-architeuthid. Found and retrieved by fishermen with Kona Sea Adventures: boat captain Cyrus Widhalm, deckhands Manny Billegas II and Ian MacKelvie, and anglers Mathew and Miriam Fowler. Squid had apparently been attacked at sea. Landed in Kailua-Kona. Length estimated by laying alongside 72 in (180 cm) fishing bag. Later placed on ice and sent to Washington state for examination. Tentatively identified as Megalocranchia fisheri by marine biologist.
580
(📷)
17 November 2015 (reported)off Hahajima, Ogasawara Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Filmed alive at surfacegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; red skin largely intactNone givenMurata (2015)Photographed and filmed at surface by Keisuke Murata; seen grasping line-caught swordfish.
23 November 2015 (night)El Cudillo fishing ground (#202 on map), near Cañón de Lastres, Gijón, Asturias, Spain, at 300–400 m depth
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireFemale (immature?)EL: 10 m; WT: 150 kgCEPESMA (Parque de la Vida, Valdés)[Anonymous] (2015o); Del Gallo (2015); [Anonymous] (2015p); Peláez (2015)Numerous media sourcesCaught by the trawler Minchos VI around 21:30 pm local time, in waters 300 fathoms (550 m) deep. Landed in Muelle del Rendiello, El Musel, Gijón. Frozen in Gijón fish market before being transferred to CEPESMA in Luarca. Planned to be dissected later that year before going on display.
581
(📷)
24 December 2015 (morning)Toyama Bay, Mizuhashi Fisherina, Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Filmed and photographed alive near surfaceArchiteuthisEntire, good condition; red skin somewhat damagedNoneWL: 3.7 m [estimate]None[Anonymous] (2015q); McKirdy & Ogura (2015); Feltman (2015); Hongo (2015); Keartes (2015); Murai (2015); [Anonymous] (2015r); Hunt (2015)Nippon TV report; ANN News report; Wakabayashi (2016); Cronin (2016); Gallant (2016:46, 96); numerous media sourcesHigh quality video footage recorded. Spotted swimming under docked fishing boats around 7 am. Spent several hours in Toyama Bay harbour where it was filmed by local divers, including Akinobu Kimura, owner of local Diving Shop Kaiyu, and professional underwater cameraman Takayoshi Kojima, who swam alongside it (as did Yuki Igushi, a curator at Uozu Aquarium, who described the powerful action of its suckers upon touching). Also seen by harbourmaster and Mizuhashi Fisherina manager Tatsuya Wakasugi. Kojima and Kimura "helped guide" it out to sea; initially pushed back and forth by fast flowing water near entrance to marina, but eventually disappeared into depths around 2:30 pm. Squid "showed some signs of energy", including inking and attempting to wrap arms around divers. Display with 4.3 m resin giant squid model and Igushi's 8-minute video (and one of #582) opened at Uozu Aquarium on 16 January 2016. Claimed by Gallant (2016:46, 96) as first giant squid to be filmed by a diver (but see #561) and as largest squid observed on a dive (but see #565).
582
(📷)
3 January 2016Toyama-Shinko Port, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Recorded alive at surfacegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; red skin largely intact, missing from distal end?WL: ~2.5–3 m [estimate]"yokotama37" (2016); "atelierichi" (2016)FNN News, 4 January 2016; [Anonymous] (2016b)Photographed and filmed alive at surface at around 1:30 am; seen by 3 people. Display with 4.3 m resin giant squid model and video of this specimen (and one of #581) opened at Uozu Aquarium on 16 January 2016.
583
(📷)
7 January 2016 (reported)Yaetsu Beach, Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoregiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire?WL: 3 m[Anonymous] (2016a)Found and photographed on beach. Speculated by Osamu Inamura, director of Uozu Aquarium, to have possibly escaped from fixed net prior to stranding.
11 January 2016near Wushi Port, Yilan, Taiwan, at ~18–20 m depth
{NWP}
Caught by fishermen trawling for flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)Architeuthis duxEntire; tentacles, eye(s) and some reddish skin intact; portions of arms missingEntireMale (mature)EL: ~4 m; ML: 89 cm [fresh]; ML: 70 cm [after fixation and dehydration]; EyD: 8 cm; WT: 17 kgNational Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, TaiwanXiao (2016); Huang et al. (2016); Liu et al. (2017:2); Zhang (2017)First specimen from Taiwan. Caught by Hsien-Kun Lin; initial preservation and transportation assisted by Chun-Yen Lin and Yao-Chen Lee. Stored on ice for 6 hours after capture and transported at low temperature (<4 °C) to laboratory at National Chung Hsing University where dissected at <15 °C over 4 hours. Fully developed sperm mass present; small size for mature male. Stomach empty. Fixed in 10% formalin; replaced with 70% ethanol after 10 days. Left optic lobe scanned using high-resolution MRI as part of comparative study of giant squid optic lobe morphology and internal structure (Liu et al., 2017).
58417 January 2016 (morning)near Noto, Hōsu District, Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan (37°21′12″N 137°15′17″E)
{NWP}
Found stranded ashore, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; arm tips intact, red skin and tentacles largely missing (stubs only)Entire, including internal organs and eggsFemale (mature)ML: 170 cm; WL: 417 cm; BC: 113 cm; FL: 52 cm; AL(IV): 210 cm [longest]; EL: ≥10 m [estimate]; WT: 110–180 kg [estimate]Ishikawa Prefectural Natural History MuseumTakeda (2016); Shimada et al. (2017:1, figs. 1–5, suppl. figs. 1–24)On public display. Found by Mr. Kubota while walking along coast around 8 am. Dissection revealed well developed ovaries with an estimated 1.48 × 107 eggs. Fixed in formalin and placed on display at Ishikawa Prefectural Natural History Museum; eggs stored in 70% ethanol.
585early 2016 [caught "several weeks" before 22 February]off Bain-Boeuf, northern Mauritius
{SIO}
Caught by fishermen"giant squid"Entire; eye(s) and skin largely intact, mantle cut open and damagedWT: 125 kg[Anonymous] (2016f); Touzé (2016)Caught by boat Lady Diana, with crew including captain Mikael Bardin, Karl Gentille, and angler Toorabally Adil. Misidentified as a Humboldt squid in some reports.
586
(📷)
6 February 2016 (early morning)100 m off coast of Ine Bay, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Photographed alive in fixed net; escapedgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire, seemingly in perfect condition; red skin fully intactNone?WL: 4 mNone[Anonymous] (2016d)Caught by fisherman Shirasu Shu-Ichiro. Photographed by Katsuyoshi Nagashima.

(📷)
8 February 2016off Imizu, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caughtgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire, good condition; eye(s) and most of red skin intact?WL: ~5 m[Anonymous] (2016c)
58713 February 2016Kosagawa, Kisakata-machi, Nikaho-shi, Akita Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoregiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; tentacles missingEntire (including separated part)ML: 136 cm; WL: 3.22 m; WT: 114/70 kgAkita Prefectural Museum[Anonymous] (2016e); Funaki (2017:3)Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Exhibited at Akita Prefectural Museum from 1 April 2016, preserved in formalin and ethanol. Previously temporarily displayed at Oga Aquarium GAO, who collected it on 14 February.
588
(📷)
4 March 20165–6 nmi (9.3–11.1 km) off Saint Gilles, Reunion Island (21°03′S 55°08′E; coordinates estimated from eyewitness statements)
{SIO}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire; missing distal part of mantle including finsHead with limbsLRL: 19.74 mm; DML: 2153–3060 mm [estimated from LRL]; EL: 7262–15,664 mm [estimated from DML]University of Reunion IslandRomanov et al. (2018); Romanov (2018)Found by crew of game fishing vessel FV Maeva 4, including captain Loïc Jauneau and deckhand Joel Mussard. Photographed by Thibaut Thellier during and after retrieval. Whole carcass too heavy to bring aboard; only head and limbs saved. Possibly largest recorded giant squid specimen, based on estimated mantle and total lengths. Soon after the paper of Romanov et al. (2018) was published the authors received reports of recent giant squid off the Maldives and Seychelles (Romanov, 2018).
589
(📷)
7 October 2016beach on Bares peninsula, Galicia, Spain (43°46.17′N 7°40.25′W)
{NEA}
Photographed alive in water; 2.5 hours later found stranded on beach, deadArchiteuthis duxEntire, "very fresh"; tentacles severed at base, mantle covered with sucker marks and scarsFemale (immature)DML: 123 cm; WT: 105 kgKeartes (2016b); Guerra et al. (2018:755, figs. 1–2); Preston (2018)First live adult photographed outside Japanese waters. Necropsy revealed no signs of mating, no food remains in digestive tract, and no traces of macroscopic parasites. mtDNA analysis confirmed species as A. dux.
21 December 2016 (morning)off Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire, good condition; red skin partly missing?WL: ~4 m[Anonymous] (2016h)Caught around 11:20 am. Landed at Mizuhashi Fishing Port in Toyama.
590
(📷)
March 2017near Melkbosstrand, South Africa
{SEA}
Found floating at surface, alive; filmed wrapping itself around paddleboard; snared with rope and dragged to shoreArchiteuthisEntire, badly injured; covered with (seal?) bite marks, missing several arm tips and patches of skinMale (mature)Keartes (2017b); Grundhauser (2017); Payne (2017)Found by paddleboarder James Taylor. Once Taylor secured a rope around it and pulled at it the animal lethargically wrapped its arms around his board. He then pulled it to shore to save it "for research purposes". Once on the beach, Taylor severed its head to "put it out of its misery", after which the animal was seen to release spermatophores, confirming that it was male. The whole incident was captured on video, with further video and photos taken on the beach. Researchers reached beached remains several days later and salvaged some remains. Identified as a giant squid by teuthologist Michael Vecchione based on footage (which was posted online by Taylor and went viral). Poor state of animal might indicate post-spawning individual.
59115 May 2017near Porcupine Basin, 190 km off Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles intactEntireMale (juvenile)EL: 5.8 mNMIO'Sullivan (2017); [Anonymous] (2017a); [Anonymous] (2017b); Flannery (2017); Keartes (2017a); O'Sullivan & Hamilton (2017)Numerous media sourcesCaught by crew of Cú na Mara, skippered by Pete Flannery, while trawling for prawns. Flannery's father caught two giant squid in the same area in 1995. First taken to Dingle Oceanworld in Dingle, where it was dissected by marine biologist Kevin Flannery and studied by marine science students from Sacred Heart University, Connecticut, then transferred to the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History in Dublin. Total length misreported as 15.8 m by O'Sullivan & Hamilton (2017).
59218 July 2017Porcupine Bank, off Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire, good condition; tentacles and eye(s) intactEntireEL: 5.5 mDingle OceanworldLucey (2017); [Anonymous] (2017c)Numerous media sourcesCaught by crew of Cú na Mara, skippered by Pete Flannery, while trawling for prawns. Flannery's father caught two giant squid in the same area in 1995. Studied by marine biologist Kevin Flannery. In "better condition" than specimen from 15 May 2017.
593
(📷)
28 August 2017 (morning)Guano Bay, near Lüderitz, Namibia
{SEA}
Found stranded on beachArchiteuthis cf. sanctipauliEntire, "fresh [...] no visible injuries or obvious signs of illness"; tentacles, arm tips and skin missingBeakFemale (mature)ML: 189 cm; WL: 401 cm [arm tips missing]; EL: 8–9 m [estimate][Anonymous] (2017d); Finck (2017); Kemper (2017:1)Measurements taken on morning of discovery, when all arm tips were already missing. Kelp gulls seen feeding on remains and had shortened arms by a further 30 cm by next morning, when beach post mortem established sex as female. Beak extracted and kept refrigerated in ethanol. Reported by marine scientist Jean-Paul Roux from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, who was stationed with Lüderitz Marine Research. Examined and photographed by Roux and Jessica Kemper. Seen by kite surfers preparing for 2017 Lüderitz Speed Challenge.
594
(📷)
October 2017 (evening)south of El Hierro, Canary Islands, at ~500 m depth
{NEA}
Recorded briefly interacting with luminescent cameraArchiteuthis duxEntireNone?WL: >3 m [estimate]; WT: >300 kg [estimate]NoneEscánez et al. (2018); Ocampo (2019); Millán (2019); [Anonymous] (2019g)Second video of live giant squid in natural habitat. Caught on camera lowered from IEO research vessel B/O Ángeles Alvariño, by team studying diet of pilot whales and other cetaceans; filmed for 7 seconds at 7:46 pm. Team included biologist Alejandro Escánez and Eugenio Fraile of IEO. Footage first revealed on 20 June 2018, at 6th International Symposium on Marine Sciences (Escánez et al., 2018; oral presentation), but only widely reported in June–July 2019, after announcement of #599. Identification confirmed by researchers including giant squid expert Ángel Guerra, primarily on basis of arm and sucker morphology.
6 April 2018 (morning)Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
{NWP}
Found by fisherman, dead"giant squid"Entire; skin, tentacles and ends of arms missingNot stated (none?)WL: "just over" 8 ft (2.4 m) [arm tips missing]; BD: 1.5 ft (0.46 m)Nelz (2018)First record from the Philippines. Photographed and filmed laid out on grass in local village with tape measure; see video. Seen by local fisherman Harold Eduardo Curtis.
2018 [reported on 27 April]off west coast of Tasmania, Australia, at 380 m depth
{SWP}
CaughtArchiteuthis duxEntireNone; discarded at sea?WL: ~3 m [estimate]; WT: 80–100 kg [estimate]None[Anonymous] (2018a); Blackwood (2018)Caught by crew of the Empress Pearl, including skipper Alec Harvey. Specimen photographed and thrown overboard. Tentatively identified as Architeuthis dux by Julian Finn of the Melbourne Museum.

(📷)
26 August 2018 (morning)near Red Rocks, south coast of Wellington, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashore"giant squid"Entire, in good condition with only "scratch" on top of head; tentacles and reddish skin missingEntireWL: 4.2 m[Anonymous] (2018b); [Anonymous] (2018c)Numerous media sourcesFound on beach by diving brothers Daniel, Jack and Matthew Aplin while driving along track next to shore; measured by them with tape measure. Two much-publicised photos show Jack lying, and Matthew kneeling, next to specimen, respectively. Specimen collection organised by NIWA.
595
(📷)
November 2018Ama-cho, Nakanoshima, Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in net; filmed at surfacegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; red skin missing?WL: <2 m"shimashoku_terakoya" (2018); [Anonymous] (2018d)Filmed at surface. First reported on 28 November 2018. Flesh tasted; described as having strange acidity.
596
(📷)
29 December 2018 (reported; seen previous night)Shinminato port, Imizu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Recorded alive at surfacegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; red skin largely intact, missing from distal endNone givenKeisho (2018)Found alive at surface by Yasuyoshi Keisho; photographed and filmed multiple times.

(📷)
30 January 2019off Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in netgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; mantle and limbs separated, red skin missingML: 166 cm[Anonymous] (2019a)Landed on day of capture at Sakai Fishing Port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture. Announced by Tottori Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station.

(📷)
31 January 2019off Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; eye(s) intact, tentacles and red skin missingEntireWL: 3.22 mNotojima Aquarium[Anonymous] (2019b); [Notojima Aquarium] (2019)Caught in same net as oarfish, Regalecus russelii (3.84 m long). Both died at time of landing at Kishibata fishing port and were taken to Notojima Aquarium; placed on public display 1–3 February, then dissected.
597
(📷)
21 February 2019mouth of Shimoko River, Shimoko-cho Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashore, deadgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; eye(s) intact, tentacles and majority of red skin missingEntireFemale (mature)ML: 158 cm; WL: 340 cm; EL: 600–700 cm [estimate]; WT: 135 kgShimane AQUAS AquariumIsobe (2019); [Anonymous] (2019c); [Anonymous] (2019e); [Anonymous] (2019h)[Tsuriho] (2019)Spotted from car by local woman who contacted Shimane AQUAS Aquarium; collected by staff. Examination by Tsuyoshi Fujita and others revealed eggs. Stored frozen before being placed on public display on ice in late March as part of annual Aquas Spring Festival, where visitors could touch the thawed specimen. Public dissection performed on 3 November 2019.
5981 April 2019off Kisakata Fishing Port, Nikaho, Akita Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found in gill net, deadgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; tentacles, arm tips and much of red skin missingEntire?WL: 3 mOga Aquarium GAO[Anonymous] (2019d); [Anonymous] (2019f)Found by local fisherman Kenichi Sasaki around 10:30 am; landed in Kisakata Fishing Port. Collected by staff from Oga Aquarium GAO on 2 April; placed on public display there on 6–7 April.
599
(📷)
17/18 June 2019Gulf of Mexico, at 759 m depth
{NWA}
Recorded approaching "e-jelly" lure before retreatingArchiteuthisEntireNone(juvenile?)?EL: 3–3.7 m [estimate]NoneJohnsen & Widder (2019); [NOAA] (2019); Jarvis (2019); Adkins (2019); Mack (2019); Langlois (2019); Burns (2020)Numerous media sourcesWidely reported as second video of live giant squid in natural habitat, but actually third (see #594). Captured on three short videos; filmed over bottom depth of 2200 m. NOAA-funded team included Nick Allen, Sönke Johnsen, Megan McCall, Nathan Robinson (see video), Tracey Sutton, and Edith Widder, as well as FIU marine scientists Heather Bracken-Grissom and Lori Schweikert. Identified as almost certainly a juvenile giant squid by teuthologist Michael Vecchione.
60028 June 2019Jodogaura Coast, northeastern part of Okinoshima, Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found floating at surface by shore, deadgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; red skin and tentacles(?) missing?WL: 3.12 m; ?AL: 1.9 m; WT: ~100 kg [estimate]Osada (2019); [Tsuriho] (2019)Photographed by local, Mr. Nozu. Estimated to have died 1 day prior to discovery.
November 2019 – January 2020Toyama Bay, off Toyama Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in fixed nets (separately)giant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Three specimensNone givenYanagisawa (2020); [Anonymous] (2020e)One specimen caught in each of November, December, and January.
601
(📷)
20 January 2020 (early morning)off Ine-cho, Tango Peninsula, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Caught in fixed net, alivegiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; missing tentacles and arm tipsEntireML: 1.35 m; ?WL: ~4.8 m; WT: ~140 kgKyoto AquariumKurokawa (2020); [Anonymous] (2020a); [Anonymous] (2020b); [Anonymous] (2020c); [Anonymous] (2020d)Filmed alive at surface during capture. Stored on ice and transported to Kyoto Aquarium, where displayed on ice in free area by entrance on 21–22 January 2020. Eyes damaged due to pressure differential.
60221 January 2020 (morning)Chatham Rise, New Zealand, at 442 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlgiant squidEntire; eyes intact, tentacles and red skin largely missing"nearly 50 kg of samples", including eyes, head, stomach, and reproductive organs?WL: >4 m; WT: 110 kgAuckland University of Technology?[Anonymous] (2020f); Georgiou (2020)Taken by NIWA-operated RV Tangaroa during expedition to survey hoki. Crew included voyage leader and NIWA fisheries scientist Darren Stevens. Dissected on board by Ryan Howard of Auckland University of Technology, where saved parts later sent.
60312 February 2020 (morning)Toyama Bay, off Hayatsuki River, Uozu-shi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan, at 80 m depth
{NWP}
Caught in fixed netgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; mantle separated from head and limbsParts, including beak?ML: 1.5 m; ?MW: 45 cm; ?WL: 3.48 m; WT: 73.3 kgUozu AquariumYanagisawa (2020); [Anonymous] (2020e)Found around 2 am; measured and dissected at Uozu Aquarium. Fourth specimen from Toyama Bay since November 2019. Appearance may be linked to unseasonably high local sea temperatures (1 °C higher than normal).
604
(📷)
7 June 2020 (reported)off Japan
{NWP}
Caught on fishing line, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire; reddish skin partly missing, hole in mantleEntireNone givenMorelli (2020a)Filmed alive at surface.
605
(📷)
7 June 2020 (morning)Golden Mile Beach, Britannia Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
{SEA}
Found washed ashore, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire, excellent condition; eyes and reddish skin intact, tentacles and arm tips missing, no obvious bite marks or injuriesEntireWL: 4.19 m; AL: ~8 ft (2.4 m) [estimate]; WT: 200–300 kg [estimate]SAMBaxter (2020); Gibbings (2020); Agnew (2020); Geggel (2020); McGreevy (2020)Found stranded alive by Richard Davies, who recorded footage of specimen contracting mantle and inking; also observed using suckers. Also photographed on beach (dead) by Adéle MomNdele Grosse. First moved to holding facility in Saldanha Bay; from there moved to Cape Town by Wayne Florence, Albe Bosman and Toufiek Samaai to form part of Iziko Museums of South Africa collection; there measured, sampled for DNA, and beak extracted. Initially stored in −30 °C walk-in freezer due to COVID-19 restrictions.
[13]14 June 202010 miles (16 km) from Humboldt Bay Entrance Channel, California, United States, at 1,500 ft (460 m) depth
{NEP}
By bottom trawl"likely a juvenile giant squid"; Onykia robustaEntireNoneEL: 14 ft (4.3 m); WT: 150 lb (68 kg)Ferrara (2020); Morelli (2020b)Non-architeuthid. Caught by fishermen Shane Ranstrom and Clark Ward of the Joy Ann. Returned to sea.

Specimen images

The following images relate to 21st century giant squid specimens and sightings. The number below each image corresponds to that given in the List of giant squid table and is linked to the relevant record therein. The date on which the specimen was first documented is also given (the little-endian day/month/year date format is used throughout).

Notes and references

Explanatory footnotes

Steve O'Shea (right) and Clyde Roper (centre) preserving a large giant squid in 10% formalin solution on 20 February 1999, during "In Search of Giant Squid", the third and final Smithsonian-backed giant squid expedition.
  1. The very first footage of a live giant squid in its natural habitat was a black-and-white video (#506) recorded about a week earlier during the same expedition (Schrope, 2013).
  2. An early example were the giant squid expeditions of 1997 and 1999, the progress of which could be tracked through online expedition journals that provided daily updates, many of them written by expedition leader and giant squid expert Clyde Roper (Roper et al., 1997, 1999; Allen, 1997). Also of note were the online contributions of marine biologist and giant squid expert Steve O'Shea, particularly in the first decade of the 21st century. During this time O'Shea was active on TONMO (The Octopus News Magazine Online), a website and forum for cephalopod enthusiasts, on which he often discussed and provided first-hand information on new giant squid finds (Morelli, 2002b; O'Shea, 2008). O'Shea put considerable effort into lowering the maximum size of the giant squid as reported in the media, especially the oft-quoted total length of 18 m (59 ft), which he countered with a more realistic 13 m (43 ft) based on the many specimens he had personally examined (O'Shea, 2003b; Hoff, 2003:91; O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008; Dery, 2013).
  3. Twenty-five years earlier, in the summer of 1965, Aldrich had enquired about using the recently commissioned manned deep-ocean research submersible DSV Alvin to study the life habits of the giant squid (he included a photo of #170 with his letter), but the idea never progressed due to funding issues. The original proposal for Aluminaut, another manned submersible launched around the same time as Alvin, also mentioned the giant squid, but this project was never realised either (Oreskes, 2003:716; Oreskes, 2014:29). In a 1974 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Aldrich said: "I've got to get me a live giant [...] We will use lights, chopped-up shark as bait in a basket, a big jig. Divers will walk the beast into the boat." (Hillinger, 1974; Ellis, 1998:243). Jon Lien—once a member of Aldrich's "squid squad"—wrote: "I'm not sure how successful the jigger would have been in landing the squid; it worked quite well in recruiting assistant professors" (Lien, 2000:277).
  4. Though see specimen #320 from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, which was reportedly still alive when found stranded in shallow water on 16 April 1988, where it was photographed in situ (Wada et al., 2014:67, fig. 1).
  5. A number of photographs of live adult giant squid at the surface off Okinawa came to light in 2003 (#449 and 450; [Anonymous], c. 2003; Kubodera, 2010:39), but it is uncertain when these were taken (O'Shea, 2003g; Eyden, 2006). Another live animal was photographed at the surface in the same area on 15 April 2004 (#464; [Anonymous], 2004a).
  6. Though Kubodera et al. on 4 December 2006 (#473) and Kubodera, O'Shea, Widder et al. in July 2012 (#506 and 507) are widely recognised as the first to, respectively, film a live adult giant squid (at the surface) and the first to film a live (adult) giant squid in its natural habitat, there exists at least one competing claim to both of these milestones. In November 2006, American explorer and diver Scott Cassell led an expedition to the Gulf of California with the aim of filming a giant squid in its natural habitat. The team employed a novel filming method: using a Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) carrying a specially designed camera clipped to its fin. The camera-bearing squid caught on film what was claimed to be a giant squid, with an estimated length of 40 feet (12 m), engaging in predatory behaviour ([Anonymous], 2010h; [Anonymous], N.d.). The footage was broadcast a year later on the History Channel, on the MonsterQuest episode "Giant Squid Found". Cassell subsequently distanced himself from this documentary, claiming that it contained multiple factual and scientific errors (Cassell, 2007).
  7. All of the specimens kept alive in tanks were rather small individuals and survived for only a few hours at most. The idea of keeping a fully grown giant squid in captivity—long term—has been mooted on occasion but is considered exceedingly challenging and has never been attempted (Lamb, 2018).
  8. The Diving Almanac & Book of Records of 2016, for example, recognises specimen #581 as the first to be filmed by a diver, though with the incorrect date of 24 January 2015 instead of 24 December 2015 (Gallant, 2016:46). The same source also considers this specimen (with the correct date) to be the "[l]argest squid observed on a dive" (Gallant, 2016:96; though see #565).

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