invasion of giant squid - for real - eating up Calif's sea food

[ensho]

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?smp=&lang=eng


USA, State of California, Coastal areas,


It may seem like something out of a horror movie, but giant squid have invaded key fishing areas in the Pacific, gobbling up everything they can find. Off the California coast, its been getting harder to catch big fish like salmon — but a whole lot easier to hook a deep sea monster, the Humboldt Squid. The population of the Humboldt Squid, which has huge 6-feet-long tentacles and weighs up to 100 pounds, has soared along the California coast line. The giant Squid's usual territory from Chile to Mexico has expanded dramatically over the last seven years. Once rarely seen off California, they are now strong arming their way toward dominance. William Gilly of Stanford University said one thing is for sure, the squid are not picky eaters and right now millions of them are consuming whatever they can find off the California coast. For fisherman, that means the tug on the end of the line may have tentacles instead of fins. Some marine experts said the one defense against this giant squid invasion may be to eat them as quickly as they are eating everything else.

[fascisthunter]

1. Yup... The humboldt Squid.... due to warming waters

and lack of natural predators to keep their number at bay.

[itsrobert]

3. Humans aren't natural predators?

I beg to differ. We just have to change are eating habits a little.

[fascisthunter]

7. technically you have a point

I'm referring to other oceanic species that would have kept their numbers down. Humans can eat them all they want, but the problem here will not be corrected by just feeding on them. Global warming is a major catalyst for imbalance in all eco-systems.

[Dollface]

2. If giant squid are as delicious as their smaller cousins let's cook 'em up!

Excuse me, harvest them.

[safeinOhio]

5. Yum, calimari

[Synicus Maximus]

17. Yes but calimari that can eat you.

[tanngrisnir3]

13. Indeed, they are! I say will kill the fuckers and grill 'em.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Damned undocumented squids! n/t

[Dollface]

15. And why hasn't Lou Dobbs exposed them? What is he hiding?

[Liberal Veteran]

6. Personally, I blame Ozymandias

[Dollface]

11. Those look like cats to me

[FarCenter]

8. How to clean, tenderize and cook Humbolt Squid

First, clean the squid, by cutting a single slit from head to tail. Remove all guts and the long spine bone.

Cut the head off the squid and save the tentacles for bait.

When finished cleaning, you should have a single, large sheet of inch thick calamari steak. Take this large sheet of meat and lay it on the nearest roadway.

Get in your truck and repeatedly drive back and forth over the squid. Repeat as necessary.

Pick squid up off roadway and throw into the trash.

Remove tire from truck and eat it. It will be softer than the squid, but will taste just like it.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8.

[Dollface]

14. Are you saying they are different from little squid or that you just don't like squid. If the former

perhaps a marinade would be in order. (I really should go get lunch now.)

[CountAllVotes]

9. link takes you to another story

not related to the giant squid. ????

[ensho]

10. the link should take you RSOE (interactive map at top of page)

look around you will find the article under US biological event

[Kalyke]

12. Spongebob needs to put Squidward on a diet.

[MorningGlow]

16. Sounds like an opportunity for Ah-nuld

He can strap on some ammo and grab some giant guns! Ah-nuld vs. The Giant Squid. All proceeds from the movie can go into the state coffers. Might help.

[Synicus Maximus]

18. Actually Humboldt Squid are not Giant Squid

They are two different animals.

[Ghost Dog]

19. Good to know, thanks. If these are not very edible,

or appetizing, as described above, they could still be 'harvested' and processed a little (like, ground or chopped), and used on farmland as a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer?

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. Humbolts are giant squid - not Giant Squid.

When they talk about 10 meter critters instead of 6 foot critters, THEN it's Architeuthis.

[11 Bravo]

21. Are not squid a diet staple of many toothed whales?

This is a natural by-product of the whaling policies of nations such as Japan and Norway.

[lovuian]

22. our seas are changing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt_V7fUckL0

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060818-...

The group says reduced rainfall and other climate changes in the region have raised the temperature and salinity of coastal waters.

These warmer, saltier waters allow open-sea jellyfish species to reach the shore, where cooler waters had once acted as a barrier to the marine creatures, researchers explain.

Jellyfish photo



Scientists in Italy also attribute the jellyfish menace to higher sea temperatures, which they say have allowed the animals to migrate north from Africa.

Several other recent studies conducted throughout Europe have similarly concluded that increases in jellyfish populations are being fueled by global warming.
more...

[KamaAina]

23. Tako Poke

a popular delicacy out here slightly west of California, consists of squid tentacles in a spicy marinade, consumed raw.

I can just see the commercial for Jack In The Box' "Tako Tacos"...