Giant squid washes ashore at Lüderitz

Eileen van der Schyff

The remains of a giant squid washed ashore at Große Bucht near Lüderitz on Tuesday. Pictures taken of this squid by J. Kemper was soon circulating wide, also in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund where people marveled at this very rare and giant sea creature.

Measurements taken indicate the squid’s mantle length to be 1,94m and tentacles included it measures 3,75 meters.
Certain types of squid can reach a length of 13m and can weigh up to 275kg.
Giant squid occurs in Namibian water, and is the staple food for sperm whales. However, seeing these large invertebrates washing ashore is regarded as very rare.
Approximately 25 years ago a fishing trawler caught such a giant in its nets. Since only three similar incidents were recorded. The last before Tuesday’s find was on 28 August 2017 when a female stranded at Guano Bay.