Humboldt Squid Population Exploding Due to Global Warming
by Jennifer Lance in Climate Change, Fishing
Most fish species in the Pacific Ocean are declining except for the Humboldt squid named after the Humboldt Current in South America. The Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) is notoriously aggressive and can weigh as much as 100 pounds. Called the diablos rojos, or red devils, by Mexican fisherman, the Humboldt Squid can take off your finger with its beak. Sometimes called jumbo squid, the Humboldt squid’s traditional range was from ranging from Tierra del Fuego to California. Recently, they’ve appeared as far north as Sitka, Alaska. According to the Smithsonian, “Some oceanographers suggest that warming oceans are at fault, while others speculate that declining numbers of the squid’s predators due to overfishing may have allowed Humboldts to expand their range.”
Humboldt Squid prefer warmer waters and the recent range expansion is most likely caused by climate. Since 2002, millions of Humboldt have migrated north. Since they live about a thousand feet under the surface of the ocean, changes in their range reflect warmer temperatures at greater depths in the ocean than just the surface.
Biology professor William Gilly of Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station has been studying and tracking Humboldt squid. Gilly explains, “If you’re a betting man, I would bet on the squid and not on the fish. It has a lot to teach us about what predators will be here in a time of climate change. The squid is super-adaptable.”
Biologists are concerned that the Humboldt squid are affecting California fisheries. Dr. Bruce Robison of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute explains, “Tiny little crill, or great big fishes … They can eat whatever they want whenever they want. If I was a Humboldt squid, I’d be knocking off salmon!”
Gilly warns, “You will get accustomed to eating less salmon and more squid. I can guarantee that.”
One thing scientists agree on is the Humboldt squid is perfectly adaptable to climate change. Some biologist have even gone so far as to predict the Humboldt squid may be the only coastal fishery left in California. With the second straight commercial salmon season cancellation imminent, they may be right.
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Posted on Apr 03, 2009
California, Climate Change, fisherman, Humboldt squid, jumbo squid, KQED, marine life, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, ocean life, Pacific Ocean, sea life, Sitka, Tierra del Fuego, William Gilly
About the Author
Jennifer Lance
Jennifer lives on 160 acres off-the-grid in a home built with her own two hands (and several more skilled pairs of hands) from forest fire salvaged timber. Her home is powered by a micro-hydro turbine, and she has been a vegetarian for 21 years. She graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in art education and has been teaching art to children for over 16 years. Jennifer is the founder and editor of Eco Child's Play.Subscribe and Share
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