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Multifloral squid filmed in Australia for the first time

Listen to this article CISRO scientists exploring the deep waters around Australia have for the first time ever captured the extremely rare Magnapinna cephalopod (bigfin squid) on footage. Five individuals of the species were captured by a remotely operated robot at depths of more than 2,000m. The giant squid is classified in the family Magnapinnidae,

ByMarcin Pawełczyk

Published: November 17, 2020 - 09:00

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 21:34

Multifloral squid filmed in Australia for the first time

Listen to this article

CISRO scientists exploring the deep waters around Australia have for the first time ever captured the extremely rare Magnapinna cephalopod (bigfin squid) on footage. Five individuals of the species were captured by a remotely operated robot at depths of more than 2,000m.

The giant squid is classified in the family Magnapinnidae, a group of deep-sea squid that have large fins and exceptionally long and slender arms. It is another unusual creature that has been encountered during research cruises conducted by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.

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The opportunity to observe these squid is extremely rare. The footage, recorded in Australian waters, is the first of its kind. Until now we have only had about a dozen confirmed sightings of this species worldwide,’ said Deborah Osterhage, a marine biologist involved in the CSIRO study

The differences in the appearance of the recorded individuals allowed the scientists to confirm that they were dealing with five different individuals. Otherwise they would not have been able to exclude the possibility that, although the survey covered a fairly large area, they encountered the same squid several times.

Two squid were filmed in deep water using a specially designed towed camera system during a cruise on the CSIRO Investigator research vessel, while the other three were captured using deep-sea ROVs.

About author

Marcin Pawełczyk

Marcin’s journey with diving has been an adventure. Starting as a recreational diver, he soon found himself drawn to the fascinating stories and mysteries of Baltic wrecks. After gaining experience, Marcin decided to go beyond just leisurely exploration and took his training up a notch by completing the TMX course, allowing him to explore even deeper and uncover the secrets of inaccessible places. His next challenge has been cave diving, where he is honing his skills to become a certified diver. Not content to simply take in the breathtaking beauty of underwater life, Marcin has also embraced underwater photography since 2018, capturing stunning shots that bring these worlds alive for those who are unable to experience them first-hand. Marcin’s passion for the underwater has taken him far and is sure to continue doing so as he dives into new depths and captures breathtaking images.