Chile: Giant Predatory Humboldt Squid Invasion Threatens

An invasion of predatory Humboldt squid into northern Pacific waters is decimating hake catches in the Pacific Ocean, including along Chileus coast. This is the conclusion of an extensive study carried out over 19 years by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).Although there has long been speculation that Humboldt squid have been expanding their range, the study, led by Bruce Robison senior scientist at MBARI, provides the first scientific records to back this up. The data produced from the research found no observations of Humboldt squid in Monterey Bay from the start of their study in 1989 to 1997. However, after a strong El NiA??’A‚A±o event in 1997, large numbers of the squid were spotted for a year or two before disappearing again. But, since a mild El NiA??’A‚A±o event in 2002, the carnivores returned and have remained abundant for the last five years. The study surmised that the squid have profited from falling numbers of billfish and large tuna in the area. uA…aˆ?Ironically, these squid may have benefited from the decline of large tuna and billfish in the Equatorial Pacific, which previously preyed upon and competed with the Humboldt squid for food"...