The Hunt for the Giant Squid
Just how true was Jules Verne’s
“20,000 Leagues under the Sea”?
The elusive “sea monster”, the giant squid, is the subject of a fascinating lecture open to the general public set to take place on Tuesday 4 July at the University of Aberdeen.
The giant squid, famed as the monsters that challenged Captain Nemo, are elusive creatures about which remarkably little is actually known. They have never been seen alive and are known largely from occasional strandings on the shore.
The lecture will be given by Richard Ellis, the internationally acclaimed author of books such as “The Search for Giant Squid”, “Deep Atlantic”, and “Sea Monsters. It forms part of a major week-long conference on “Cephalopod Biomass and Production”.
Conference Chairman, Professor Peter Boyle of the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Zoology, explained: "Cephalopods are a group of molluscs which include squid, octopus and cuttle fish. This is the millennial conference on the species and the three yearly event is organized on behalf of the Cephalopod International Advisory Council.
“There is considerable worldwide interest in the species since they are an extremely important food source for higher marine animals such as sperm whales, penguins, larger fish as well as the albatross. At the same time, they are themselves predators that feed largely on prawns, shrimps and fish. Cephalopods also support important fisheries, with approximately 3 million tonnes caught each year.
Professor Boyle continued: “The reason we chose giant squid as the topic of a talk aimed at the general public is that, with so little actually known about them, there has been much speculation and exaggeration which has made them seem almost mystical and the ideal topic for adventure stories. They live at great depths, grow to enormous sizes and few have ever been found. No giant squid has ever been found alive and no photographs of a live animal have even been taken.
“In fact, it was only at the turn of the twentieth century that the existence of the giant squid was confirmed. A few were washed up on the Newfoundland shore and these validated what had previously only been the stuff of legends and anecdotal accounts”
Scientists at the University of Aberdeen have been studying cephalopods for over 25 years and, for the past 10 years, have led the way in European collaboartive research.
Professor Boyle added: “The aim of this conference is to put European research into the international context. Experts from all over the world will be attending, some of whom will take part in a “Question-Time” type session which will follow Richard Ellis' talk.
“Both the talk and the session which follows are very much aimed at the general public and we hope that anyone who has an interest in these enigmatic sea creatures will cone along.”
Those coming to the talk are encouraged to bring their cameras. A specially made giant squid will have pride of place in the foyer of the Fraser Noble Building where the talk will take place. Visitors will be able to have their photograph taken with this friendly version of the real thin! Doors open at 6.00pm, entry is free of charge but by ticket only and these can be obtained by contacting Angela Mowat on 01224 272014 or by e-mail: a.mowat@abdn.ac.uk Refreshments will be served after the event.
Further information from:
Professor Peter Boyle, Department of Zoology, Tel: 01224
Christine Cook, Director of Public Relations, Tel: 01224 272014
PHOTOCALL AND INTERVIEW DETAILS; Richard Ellis will be available for interview during the course of 4 July. He can be reached by contacting Professor Boyle (number above). He will be signing his books between 6.00-6.30pm and from 8.30pm in the foyer of the Fraser Noble Building.