TWO Bigfin Squid Sightings in Micronesia?!

It seems like 2026 is going to be the summer of the Magnapinna! Our NA180 Corps of Exploration spotted not one but TWO more of these iconic cephalopods while exploring the waters of the Federated States of Micronesia with ROVs Little Hercules and Atalanta. Bigfin squid (genus Magnapinna) have been spotted in the wild fewer than 100 times, and thankfully, both of these individuals showed off for our deep-sea cameras.

The first sighting happened 2,478 meters (8,129 feet) deep on a never-before-seen seamount, "Unnamed FSM Seamount 2", approximately 79 km southwest of Lamotrek Island, in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. The bigfin’s “sink fishing” feeding technique involves passively floating with long drawn-out tentacles until one catches prey, which it then retracts towards its mouth for a tasty meal. The next sighting, the third of THIS expedition, happened while exploring another seamount "Unnamed FSM Seamount 3" at 2,700 meters (8,858 feet) deep, roughly halfway between Ifalik and Chuuk Islands approximately 230 km (125 nm) east of the previous site. This has truly been an auspicious expedition for rare cephalopod fans!

Ocean Exploration Trust's Deep-Sea Habitats in the Mariana Islands I & II (NA179 & NA180) expeditions are primarily supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, with additional support from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for AUV Sentry’s participation.