Posted on 11/15/2004 11:39:24 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Nov. 15, 2004 - As evidence mounts of possible global warming and overfishing, there may be a flip side to the dire news: an abundance of calamari.
Research has shown that many squid, octopuses and other sucker-bearing members of the cephalopod family don't appear to be too troubled by a minor increase in ocean temperature. In fact, when it's a little warmer, some thrive. Plus, as the fishing industry captures more and more of the animals' predators, such as tuna, cephalopods may see their niche expand.
"The good news is they taste great," said John Forsythe, an expert on the creatures from the National Resource Center for Cephalopods near Houston. "They're pure protein and they have no bones."
A study released last week said in the past half-century, average yearly temperatures in Alaska and Siberia have risen by about 3.6 degrees to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters in Alaska and western Canada warmed by about 5 degrees to 7 degrees. Scientists say this evidence points to an overall trend of warming temperatures and waters worldwide.
It's uncertain how such warming could affect different animal species, but some believe that cephalopods will thrive.
"For shallow water species, warming temperatures is likely to expand their range and speed up their growth," said George Jackson, a squid expert at the University of Tasmania.
Research has shown that even a slight increase in water temperature can make the animals balloon in size. This is because their digestive enzymes work faster when warm.
"For cephalopods, temperature appears to be an accelerator," said Forsythe.
Jackson recently estimated the total body mass of the animals has already exceeded that of humans on Earth. Past research has suggested that sperm whales alone consume more than 100 million tons of squid every year. Jackson reasons if that estimate just covers squid eaten by one predator species, then their total mass must exceed that of humans, which represent half of 1 percent of the total biomass on Earth, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.
Meanwhile, fishing rates of another predator, tuna, have doubled from 2 million to 4 million tons a year since 1994, which means more squid may have escaped being eaten. Couple these factors with slightly warmer waters and you have a boom.
Anecdotal evidence has hinted at the success of the animals. Fishermen off the coast of New Zealand and Australia have been pulling up more squid in their nets in recent years. And on the West Coast of the United States, from Southern California to Alaska's shores, a series of widespread sightings and beachings of the enormous Humboldt squid has scientists puzzled and pointing to possible warmer temperatures in these waters.
Humboldt squid, also known as flying jumbo squid, can reach 7 feet to 15 feet in length and weigh as much as 100 pounds. Their growth rate is also astounding. A young squid 2 millimeters in length can grow to a meter in a single year.
"That's like a human baby growing to the size of a whale in one year," said William Gilly, a biologist at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, Calif., who has been studying the species.
Over the past few months, the voracious animals with probing arms and tentacles have appeared as far north as the Alaskan coast. Gilly chalks up their northern appearances to a bump in warming in these areas and the animal's flexible biology.
"The species seems to be pretty adaptable to temperature, so if temperature opens up new niches, they just move in," he said. "They're not picky."
But other squid experts point out not all cephalopods may do well in warming conditions. Steve O'Shea, a senior research fellow at Auckland University in New Zealand, says squid that reside mostly in surface waters may be more flexible than those that hover in the ocean's permanently chilly deep depths. And cephalopods that hang out in colder regions of the globe, like the colossal squid (the largest known squid that has been found off the coast of Antarctica), may be more vulnerable to temperature change.
"A warming of the oceans could also result in the demise of cold-water, deep-sea species of squid," he said.
He adds that fishing isn't only affecting fish species. Cephalopods are often snagged in nets and trawlers who drag nets on the ocean floor can destroy clusters of their eggs.
"Seven species of octopus and squid in New Zealand waters are already considered extinct or seriously impacted by deep sea fisheries," he said. "This is the opposite side of the coin."
Jackson says despite the uncertainty about colder-water cephalopods, he has no doubt that a shift is under way.
"We're replacing one ecosystem -- fish -- with another -- cephalopods," he said. "There's no way of knowing what impact that will have."
Forsythe suggests one consequence could be a change in the American palate.
"In North America, squid aren't that popular yet," he said. "But when fish are $10 a pound and squid are $4 a pound, people will start to say 'Hmm, wonder if I can find a good recipe for that?'
"I think that's inevitable."
LOL!
Political left creates myth of dangerous fossil fuels
The earth has been gradually warming since the end of the last mini-ice age that occurred between 1500 and 1700 A.D. The earth was considerably warmer 1,000 years ago during the Middle Ages when practically no fossil fuels were consumed. Extensive data exists to show that the earth is warmed by the reactivity of the sun. Man's use of fossil fuels has never, is not now nor will it ever affect global temperatures to any measurable degree! However, the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere has, in fact, increased by 30 percent during the past 20 years, hence, the left has latched on to this single piece of data to spread "doom and gloom" fears that predict the end of civilization unless we sign on to the Kyoto agreement. Actually adhering to the Kyoto agreement would truly end economic balance in the free world and result in utter chaos desired by the left.
more at...:http://www.nj.com/letters/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/news-2/110008109339980.xml
The only calamari I've had was a bit like chewing on a hot bicycle inner-tube. Great exercise for the jaws; not much for flavor or sustenance.
,,, I'm doing my best to stop other species of squid turning up for work each day. I eat sushi twice a week. It's really hard to pin down what is and isn't extinct though with "extinct OR seriously impacted" as a guide.
,,, if there's that much chewing, it's overcooked.
Raised on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay (well, close enough), so eating sea critters is no problem - steamed crabs seriously covered in Old Bay Seasoning is heaven -
My wife does the tenderloin, I'll go for the porterhouse, although the butcher I go to recommended one of his rib eyes the last time I went, cut off the bone in the store and marbled like you wouldn't believe - very tasty.
better labels are required.
Tofu ain't meat.
Squid will never fully replace fish. Just like chicken and turkey will never replace beef. Although, if it becomes popular enough to make it to 5% of the American menu, that could take a load off world fisheries.
mmmmmm, critters in old bay! Makes me wonder if global warming would help out the Chesapeake.
Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
"The only calamari I've had was a bit like chewing on a hot bicycle inner-tube. Great exercise for the jaws; not much for flavor or sustenance."
You had a bad cook, who overcooked the calamari. Properly-prepared, it's excellent. Me, I like the little squids, with the tentacles still on them. Yumm!
Less tuna, more squid. Squid Quo Pro.
You are either ignorant, have a broken taster, or have never eaten properly prepared calamari.
One of the good things about our 20-year "exile" in MA was the availability of great calamari dishes.
In one restaurant, I would usually order just the fried calamari appetizer and a house salad -- a great meal!
Another tiny, neighborhood cafe had calamari sauteed with hot peppers served over pasta on their Fridy night special menu. It was so delicious that I never got around to trying anything from their regular menu...
OTOH, you may be right. I for one, have never tasted cow flop -- nor do I intend to do so!!! '-)
that's quite a range there, dontcha think? do you really want to start a brawl over freaking squid, for heaven's sake?
Whales will be happy.
If you want a collection of 'ignorant' remarks of disgust, you should try mention eating squid here in the piney backwoods of northeast Texas!
(BTW, what I call "ignorant" is bad-mouthing something you have never had the opportunity (or cojones) to try...)
Should have tossed in a couple more "smileys..." No brawl wanted -- and no harm intended, FRiend!!!
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