In June 2019, NOAA’s Journey into Midnight expedition filmed a giant squid approaching an optical jellyfish-like lure in the Gulf of Mexico, then retreating. NOAA estimated the animal at 3 to 3.7 meters (10 to 12 feet) long. The encounter was captured on the fifth deployment of the Medusa camera system.
What does the Gulf of Mexico giant squid video show?
The footage records the squid moving toward Medusa’s e-jelly lure before turning away. The lure was an optical imitation of a bioluminescent jellyfish—not a real jellyfish or food the squid ate. NOAA’s account describes the animal as apparently recognizing that the lure was not food and retreating. The video is credited to Edie Widder and Nathan Robinson. NOAA’s June 20, 2019 account gives the length estimate and encounter details; the agency also provides a giant squid video listing.
How deep was the squid when NOAA filmed it?
The sources establish the depths of Medusa deployments, not the squid’s exact depth at the moment it appeared. NOAA said the planned deployment range was 915 to 1,830 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet); another mission update described deployments at 1,830 meters (about 6,000 feet). Those figures should not be presented as a verified sighting depth. See NOAA’s June 11 deployment account and June 16 account.
How did the Medusa camera attract and record the squid?
The Medusa was built to observe deep-sea animals without flooding the scene with bright white light. It paired a low-light camera with dim red illumination selected to be visible to the researchers’ system but not to most deep-sea animals. Its e-jelly lure imitated the appearance of a common bioluminescent jellyfish, drawing animals into camera range without using a real animal as bait. NOAA describes the approach in its account of the search and description of unobtrusive observation.
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The camera was deployed on a buoy-tethered line, with each deployment planned to last about 24 hours. The encounter came during its fifth deployment, on June 19, 2019.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What was Journey into Midnight?
NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Journey into Midnight: Light and Life Below the Twilight Zone took place from June 8 to 22, 2019, aboard the research vessel R/V Point Sur. The expedition aimed to explore the water column in some of the Gulf’s deepest areas and study animals living beyond sunlight. Its tools included the Medusa camera system, the Global Explorer remotely operated vehicle and a Tucker trawl. The NOAA project overview summarizes the expedition and its objectives.
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