Rare Bigfin Squid in the Cook Islands

Our Corps of Exploration encountered this bigfin squid (genus Magnapinna) over 5,100 meters deep while exploring the abyssal plain in the waters of the Cook Islands. These cephalopods are rarely ever seen by humans (with fewer than two dozen recorded sightings and no physical collections), since they are the only squid known to live as deep as the hadal zone. The squid’s distinctive morphology includes extra-long tentacles and arms with microscopic suckers, and “elbows” likely used to catch and eat planktonic crustaceans. Moments like this —meeting rare ocean life —remind us all how much we have to learn about the deep ocean.

The NA176 Deep Sea Habitats of the Cook Islands expedition is using the ROV, mapping, and telepresence systems of E/V Nautilus to explore deep-sea areas prioritized by the Cook Islands government and local stakeholders. All collected data will be made publicly available to stimulate further exploration and research, and to support ongoing local management and future decision-making for the Cook Islands by Cook Islanders.