Killer Squid!!!!

[grassyknoll]

Okay, I oversensationalized with the title but I am fishing for a response here.
Several years ago I was watching a documnetary on a species of large squid that reside in the sea of cortez. These squid were about 20-40 lbs if I remember correctly, the thing that really stuck with me was that the local Mexican fisherman were qouted as saying that when they were fishing at night, if they accidentally went overboard they were not concerned about the sharks but were scared to death of the squid. I have never really heard anything about them being aggresive or dangerous to humans (although I have seen film of Humboldts hunting and taking large fish-SCARY!), are squid known to be a dangerous? (no uncooked calalmari jokes please).

 

[Kim]

I also saw a documentary about them recently. If I remember correctly they were very friendly when the divers were nowhere near any fishing going on. They are very aggressive, and dangerous, where the fishing was happening as far as I remember. I think the fishermen have good reason to be scared.

 

[Kray_Z]

actually one of my professors did some research diving there and told me a story about just that. he was told by the locals that they were dangerous at night.... he thought they were just messing with his.. that was until his night dive..... he was getting pretty deep when out of no where he sees two of em swimming up at him and his team.... they ditched the gear and swam up... the squids went for the gear.... he found out later.. they go after just about anything because they are starving due to over fishing in that area... true story according to him... and i dont think he would be one to make it up.

 

[ams511]

I remember seeing a documentary about them also several years ago. From what I remember they are very aggressive you must have watched the same show.

 

[Jake]

I can't find the link now, but the guy from the documentary that wore the "armor" while diving is a member of this site IIRC. He has a web-site that explains in great detail the behavior of the Humboldt Current squid. I'll try and dig around some more.

 

[Jake]

Well, it's not the site I was looking for, but here's an operation tied to Scott Cassell, the guy from the documentary:

http://www.squiddiving.com/

The squid do pose a certain amount of risk, but it sounds like that can be mitigated depending on when you view them and under what circumstances (e.g. at night, during feeding, etc).

 

[grassyknoll]

Sounds like most of you have seen the same videos. I have also seen the one with the guy diving in armour at night, he was tying their aggresive behavior to the squid fishing that was going on while he was in the water with them. But having seen other videos of them darting out, grabbing large pelagics and then virtually disapearing with them it would sure make me uneasy to dive around them if they are indescriminate feeders.

 

[Bill Fisher]

from what I've heard about the dive op in Mexico is that you are tied to the boat .

 

[MSilvia]

http://www.sharkdiver.com/package_squid.html

 

[EastEndDiver]

This one is only 6 inches long and looks mad at me for taking his pic.