Two Japanese divers recently managed to capture rare footage of a 2.5m giant squid swimming off the west coast of the Japanese archipelago, describing the experience as “exciting”.
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Warned by a fishing tackle vendor who spotted the giant squid near the surface in a bay, Yosuke Tanaka and his wife Miki, diving instructors in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture (west), set out by boat to catch it nearby of a rock to hit the shore.
“He was there, a giant squid,” Tanaka told AFP. “It didn’t have the nimble movements of many fish and sea creatures,” he added. “Its tentacles and fins moved very slowly.”
The squid looked weak and scraps of skin appeared to be peeling off its body, the diver observed.
The animal’s size and huge eyes were striking, and Mr Tanaka said he imagined how strong a squid must have been to attack a whale.
“I could see its tentacles moving. I thought it would be dangerous to get caught and carried away by this creature,” he added.
Giant squid are known to swim in the waters near Japan and sometimes wash up on its shores, but it is very rare to see them swimming in the sea.
“It was exciting. I think there are few things rarer than this sight,” Mr. Tanaka said, adding, “I’ve heard that not much is known about this creature. I would be happy if it helps us learn more.”