Researchers discover Giant Squid is essentially all the same
species, regardless of where they are found
By Will Collette
Scientists
at the University of Copenhagen have made the discovery that the elusive
giant squid, found in all the world’s oceans, is essentially the same creature
regardless of where it is found. Their findings are based on sampling the DNA
from 43 specimens gathered from oceans all over the planet.
Rhode Island is considering the merits of legislation declaring
Rhode Island-style fried calamari with yellow peppers as its Official State
Appetizer, partly to bring attention to the dish and to Rhode Island’s
position as the #1 source for squid on the East Coast.
I asked Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D, District 34-South Kingstown,
Narragansett) for an update on the status of the Fried Calamari bill, and her
answer was “floundering.”
Now that scientists know that Giant Squid are basically the
same animal worldwide, it would be hard to threaten their existence unless of
course there was a worldwide push to catch nothing but giant squid.
It’s not a given that the giant squid would cooperate. Squid
are surprisingly intelligent creatures with good eyesight and the ability to
fight back. Indeed, old mariners’ tales speak of ships sunk and mariners eaten
by “the Kraken,” now believed to be giant squid.
But once we figure out how to bring a larger giant squid
catch home, can you just imagine what kind of amazing fried calamari dishes we
could turn out?
