Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Rare Bigfin Squid Sighted Off California Coast

An elusive bigfin squid was observed and filmed for the first time in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The sighting occurred during a research expedition near Davidson Seamount.

The creature was spotted by MBARI using the ROV Doc Ricketts about two miles below the surface, 80 miles southwest of Monterey, California.

This marks only the 70th observation globally and the first live sighting in this region. Scientists described the encounter as "spectacular."

The sighting happened during the Seamount Hotspots expedition, a joint project by MBARI and NOAA to study ecosystems on submerged mountains.

Researchers were also investigating mysterious seafloor furrows, possibly made by beaked whales.

The bigfin squid observed was about four feet long and in an "elbow pose," believed to be related to feeding tactics.

Much about the bigfin squid remains unknown due to few sightings and damaged specimens. It is the deepest-dwelling squid known.

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