Unusual squid in Chignik Lagoon

Observation by Alvin Pedersen

Chignik lagoon in Packers Creek. Never been seen in Chignik Lagoon that I know of.

LEO Says

Thanks Alvin for sharing. We are hoping to get help with a photo identification of the species. Thank you to Dr. Tom Okey for the topic expert reference. Dr. Clyde Roper is a Smithsonian Institute zoologist and one of the leading authorities on giant squid. You can explore a wealth of squid-related content via the sidebar links on his website.

It's a deep dive into the mysterious world of one of the ocean’s most elusive creatures..

AI Comment from GPT 4.1:

Recent observations across coastal Alaska have noted several unusual sightings of squid, often in locations where they are rarely, if ever, reported. In September 2019, a large squid was caught in Chignik Bay, and analysis suggested that such events may be linked to shifting ocean conditions and possible climate influences. Similarly, a 2018 sighting in Aleksandrovsk prompted speculation about the northward movement of squid species as waters warm, with experts noting that squid are highly responsive to changing ocean climates. Earlier posts from Seldovia Bay in 2017 and Unalaska in 2017 also documented squid found by community members, reinforcing that such sightings, while still unusual, have been reported intermittently in the region over recent years. These repeated observations across different communities suggest a pattern that may reflect ongoing changes in ocean conditions and marine species distributions, as previously discussed by experts in these posts.