On Christmas Day, a team of scientists aboard the R.V. Falkor (too) made a remarkable discovery in the Southern Ocean: the first-ever footage of a live Antarctic squid (Gonatus antarcticus).
The expedition, led by the National Geographic Society, was initially hampered by treacherous sea ice in the Weddell Sea. The team had to relocate their remotely operated vehicle, SuBastian, to the edge of the Powell Basin.
As SuBastian descended to a depth of 2,130 meters, a 90-centimeter-long squid appeared on the live video feed. The squid, likely startled, released a small cloud of greenish ink.
This sighting is particularly significant because the Antarctic squid is rarely seen alive. Previously, the species was only known from carcasses found in fishing nets or squid beaks discovered in the stomachs of marine animals.
Kat Bolstad, director of the Laboratory for Cephalopod Ecology and Systematics at Auckland University of Technology, identified the squid and noted the presence of a large hook on its tentacles, a key characteristic of the species.
The researchers observed the squid for a few minutes, using lasers to measure its size and turning off the lights to understand its natural environment. The squid had scratches on its tentacles and recent suction marks on its mantle, suggesting a recent encounter.
This discovery highlights how much remains unknown about the deep ocean, especially in the relatively unexplored polar regions. The potential for further discoveries remains vast.