CATCH OF THE WEEK: Quebec Angler Lands 244-Pound Halibut Behemoth!Talk about an ice-breaker! Quebecois fisherman Alain Hamel is likely still nursing some sore arms after a monumental two-and-a-half-hour battle with a true titan of the deep. On Saturday, February 1st, while ice fishing in the frigid waters of the Saguenay Fjord, Hamel hooked into a fish that would make most anglers weak in the knees: a colossal 244-pound Atlantic halibut!
This absolute unit, measuring over 6.5 feet long, shattered the previous local record of 194 pounds. The catch was part of a scientific research project with the Fjord Museum, which means this monster of a fish will provide valuable data on migration patterns. But don't worry, the estimated 170 pounds of delicious meat won't go to waste; it will be distributed among the fishermen. As the president of the local basin committee, Marc-AndrƩ Galbrand, joked, "You have to head on to physio after because your arms are just killing you!"
DEEP SEA MYSTERIES: Internet Christens New Species 'Of The People'What's in a name? For one newly discovered deep-sea creature, it's a whole lot of internet fame! Say hello to *Ferreiraella populi*, a bizarre little chiton that was officially named this week after a massive online campaign. The name, which means "of the people" in Latin, was chosen from over 8,000 suggestions submitted by viewers of Ze Frank's popular "True Facts" YouTube series.
This strange mollusk, which looks like a cross between a snail and a beetle, was first discovered in 2024, nearly three miles deep in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench near Japan. It lives exclusively on sunken wood and has some peculiar habits, including hosting a small community of worms on its tail that feed on its waste. The rapid naming process, taking only two years instead of the usual decade or more, highlights a new push for public engagement in science. As Professor Julia Sigwart of the Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance noted, this is crucial for conservation, especially with threats like deep-sea mining on the horizon.
WRECK & RELIC: Perfectly Preserved Roman Shipwreck Found Off ItalyHistory buffs, rejoice! A stunningly preserved Roman-era shipwreck has been discovered in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of southern Italy. The vessel, which went down over 1,600 years ago, was found last summer by Italy's financial police during a routine patrol. The discovery was kept under wraps until now to protect the site from looters.
The ship's cargo hold is still packed with a treasure trove of ancient amphoras, the clay jars used by the Romans to transport goods like wine and olive oil. The wreck lies in pristine condition on the seabed, offering a rare and invaluable glimpse into the maritime trade of the ancient world. Archaeologists are now developing a plan to study this incredible time capsule from the past.
SCIENCE CORNER: Deep-Sea Expedition Discovers 28 New Species and a VHS TapeThe ocean's depths continue to surprise us. A recent expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute off the coast of Argentina has returned with a haul of incredible discoveries, including 28 potential new species of sea snails, urchins, and worms. The team also documented the largest known cold-water coral reef and a rare, bus-sized giant phantom jellyfish.
But it wasn't all natural wonders. Amidst the groundbreaking discoveries, the research team also found a stark reminder of humanity's impact: a "near-pristine" VHS tape. It's a sobering thought that our trash has reached even the most remote corners of the planet. As chief scientist MarĆa Emilia Bravo said, "We were not expecting to see this level of biodiversity in the Argentine deep sea... We opened a window into our country's biodiversity only to find there are so many more windows left to be opened."
Sources:
CBC News
ScienceDaily
Archaeology Magazine
Popular Science
