On Christmas Day 2024, the icy waters of Antarctica revealed a jaw-dropping marine discovery. Scientists recorded the first-ever live video of the Gonatus antarcticus squid. This elusive deep-sea species had never been seen alive until now.
Discovery in the Southern Ocean
The squid was spotted during the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition. The team was aboard the R/V Falkor (too), a cutting-edge research vessel from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. They planned to explore the Powell Basin, but fast-moving sea ice forced them to change course.
That last-minute switch led to history. The crew launched their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian at the edge of the basin. While diving nearly 7,000 feet deep, the team spotted a three-foot-long squid hovering in the water. SuBastian’s camera caught it all.
Caught on Camera
The squid briefly released greenish ink, startled by the lights. For two to three minutes, it floated peacefully, giving researchers a clear look. Its mantle showed fresh sucker marks and scratches—clues to a recent struggle. Then it vanished into the depths.
Squid Identification Confirmed
To confirm the species, footage was sent to Dr. Kathrin Bolstad of Auckland University of Technology. She leads the AUT Squid Squad. Her team identified the squid as Gonatus antarcticus by a key feature: a large central hook on each tentacle club. Previously, scientists had only known this species from dead specimens. It was either caught in nets or found in the stomachs of predators. This marked the first live encounter.
Mission with a Larger Purpose
The sighting is part of a broader mission to study Earth’s changing oceans. Researchers mapped uncharted sites across the Southern Ocean. They collected samples from deep-sea canyons, hydrothermal vents, and ice-covered troughs.
This project is part of the Perpetual Planet Expeditions, a partnership between National Geographic and Rolex. The goal is to examine how climate change impacts Earth’s last wild places, including the near-pristine Weddell Sea.
This sighting proves there is still so much to learn about the deep sea. It reminds us that even today, uncharted wonders await discovery beneath the waves.
➡️ The footage will appear in an upcoming National Geographic documentary. ➡️ For more on this story, and to see the video, visit natgeo.com.
