Big catch: Kerry trawler lands octopus
AN OCTOPUS, thought to be among the world’s largest octopus species Haliphron atlanticus, has been found by a boat from Fenit trawling for white fish southwest of the Aran Islands.
According to marine biologist and fisheries officer, Kevin Flannery, the octopus is only one of a handful ever recorded in Irish waters. Huge examples have previously been found off New Zealand. All have been brought up from the deep since the late 1980s.
With its eyes measuring four inches, “it is like ET or something out of science fiction”, Mr Flannery said.
Most of the jelly-like body of the octopus has deteriorated.
The remains are to be sent to the Natural History Museum in Dublin. The species has been known to weigh up to 165lbs.
Mr Flannery warned about the growing presence in Irish waters of the extremely invasive slipper limpet, which looks like a periwinkle.
He has found several shells this summer and said oyster fishermen needed to be especially vigilant.
The limpet, which arrived in the UK in the 19th century, has decimated natural oyster beds in the UK and France.
Meanwhile, fishermen off the Blasket Islands in Co Kerry have found yet another pregnant slipper lobster. The exotic lobster, edible and commonly found in Pacific waters, is rarely recorded north of the Azores.