Response to reports of giant squid washing up on Unalaska's beaches
Response description:
May 12, 2004 and April 5, 2005. Pacific Hooked Squid stranded in Unalaska. Responded to reports of an 8.5 and a 12.5 foot Moroteuthis robusta swimming and stranding in Unalaska Bay. Once the squids stranded, morphometrics were taken and the squid was frozen for educational use. In both cases, taught a cephalopod anatomy and ecology class to the entire Eagle View Elementary school and Unalaska City High School. Also presented a FOAMI talk at the Museum of the Aleutians on giant squid myths and facts and described those species found in Alaskan waters. Ultimately, both squid were necropsied in public as a teaching tool about giant cephalopods. The leftover pieces were given to local fishermen for bait.