If you've watched the evening news or listed to any local radio news station during the past few days you've heard about the invasion of the enormous squid.
You're either alarmed, amused or intrigued. The hype has been remarkable, considering the invasion is not new and might no longer be accurately classified as such.
Humboldt squid, long common off South America, are no strangers to California waters and many scientists believe they're now year-round residents that have been entrenching themselves for years during a methodical expansion of territory. They've been discovered as far north in Alaska.
They're in the news now, primarily, because sportfishing landings from San Diego to Los Angeles have sent nighttime boats full of anglers to deep water in pursuit of them, in the hope of capitalizing on the bizarre nature of the creatures to drum up business during an otherwise very slow winter season.
But they are a novelty for anglers who reel from the darkest depths a denizen that might measure six feet and responds to its capture by squirting ink and water, while its arms and tentacles probe and its body flashes like a strobe.
I've caught and eaten several Humboldt squid. I've also gone scuba diving with them in the Sea of Cortez, and that was an uneasy but memorable experience. The presence of squid off Southern California, to be sure, makes for a fun story. But sadly that presence, many scientists believe, is a sign of an ailing marine environment.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo of angler with squid courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, which on Tuesday night was reporting frenetic squid action aboard the Clemente
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