SubC Technology Drives Expedition to Find Elusive Colossal Squid
SubC is part of an international expedition to find, film, and study the colossal squid in the deep sea for the first time. The group will be surveying locations in the Antarctic Peninsula in December 2022 in the hopes of documenting the world’s largest invertebrate underwater in its natural habitat before the 100-year anniversary of the first discovery of the species.
Research Goals
Little is known about the colossal squid. Since its discovery in 1925, only a few whole specimens have been captured or viewed alive and never in the squid’s natural habitat of the deep sea between 500-2,500 meters. By observing its behavior, the study will seek to answer some basic biological and ecological questions. The aim is to also raise awareness about conservation priorities for the Southern Ocean.
The first whole specimen of a colossal squid was caught in a scientific trawl in 1981. Copyright: Remeslo, A. 1981.
Study Powered by SubC System
The colossal squid is difficult to research. It is believed to live only in the remote, deep sea of the Southern Ocean. What’s more, the weather, wave, current, and ice conditions in the region make submersibles, ROVs, and AUVs possibly riskier and less reliable for finding the elusive species. For this expedition, a SubC-designed tethered cable attached to a frame and deep-sea camera system will be repeatedly deployed.
An oceanographic winch and crane will be affixed to the vessel, Ocean Endeavor, and operated by small group adventure company, Intrepid Travel. A team of 2-4 researchers from Memorial Univeristy’s Marine Institute will deploy the system to a maximum of 500 meters depth from a gangway door on the first floor of the Ocean Endeavor. The design is a modified version of SubC’s Tow Camera System that includes a 4k Rayfin camera, and red and white LED lights.
The SubC & Intrepid Travel teams smiling after successfully loading the research equipment on the Ocean Endeavour.
SubC’s Chad (left) and Brent (right) position a wooden mock-up of the crane to make sure the modified Tow Camera System will fit.
"We're thrilled that our technology will be used to attract and possibly capture footage of the elusive colossal squid, especially as we approach the 100-year anniversary of the first discovery of this species,” said Chad Collett, Founder, CEO, and Camera Systems Manager at SubC Imaging. “It's this type of collaborative opportunity that breeds innovation and helps move forward ways to gather imaging for marine research".
An International Effort
This international effort is being organized by KOLOSSAL, an American ocean exploration and conservation non-profit. KOLOSSAL, SubC Imaging, Intrepid Travel, and Marine Institute is also joined by Chimu Adventures, a specialist travel operator with 20+ years experience in Antarctica, the Arctic, and Latin & South America.
Garnering Support
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the expedition until Nov. 17, 2022 with the Experiment Foundation. So far they have reached 75% of their nearly $15,000 stretch goal.