Matt Mulrennan

Matt Mulrennan

Nov 30, 2022

Group 6 Copy 440
3

Antarctic Mobilization and Media Attention

The four-person team has arrived in windswept and mountain-guarded Ushuaia, Argentina. The Southernmost city in the world, and a jumping off point for Patagonia's National Parks and, of course, ships to Antarctica. We have acquired bait, equipment, and filled out a bunch of forms. Ready and excited to depart tomorrow to study the colossal squid, the world's largest invertebrate, on the Ocean Endeavor tourism vessel. It's been seven years of planning to get us to this point in what has to be the strangest 5-9 side gig of all time.

Starting a non-profit, developing the deep sea camera tech, winning a conservation technology prize, doing a crowdfunder, getting the research permits, securing a vessel, were challenges we knew we had coming at KOLOSSAL. But we did not foresee having COVID remove most Antarctic ship availability, and sadly take the life of one of our primary advisors Dr. Alexander Remeslo - one of the top researchers on the colossal squid. Like the world has, we have seen our ups and downs lately.

But from the encouragement from SubC Imaging and others we kept going, and here we are. We are about to cross the Drake Passage on an incredible scientific adventure with some high-tech deep-sea camera equipment, a really big ship, and an awesome international research team. We have also gained interest from a leading ocean wildlife documentary group who may want any footage we capture of the colossal squid for their next big series!

Today we also received our first major media attention about the expedition with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) who ran this piece below on national television and on the radio. Does a great job introducing you to the expedition and our partners Marine Institute and SubC Imaging.

Check out the story and the video here!

Thank you so much again for making this research expedition dream become reality. Looks like we may have some big waves in store on the infamous Drake Passage aka 'Drake Shake' crossing, we brought the seasickness meds. We will circle back with our findings when we return, maybe a few kilos/pounds lighter.

Let's #getkraken

3 comments

Join the conversation!Sign In
  • Maureen Huelsenbeck
    Maureen Huelsenbeck Backer
    As with so many Great Adventures - Amazing Discoveries Await !!!! Wishing you all a Successful Expedition Maureen & Jerry Huelsenbeck
    Nov 30, 2022
  • David Lang
    David LangBacker
    Bon voyage! Looking forward to seeing what you find.
    Nov 30, 2022
  • William Mulrennan
    William MulrennanBacker
    Happy hunting!
    Nov 30, 2022

About This Project

We are launching a multi-year expedition to film a colossal squid in the deep sea for the first time off Antarctica to learn about its basic biology/behavior. With deep sea cameras we are surveying for the colossal squid to answer key questions about the species such as; how large they grow, most preferred habitats, the use of its massive eye, how it exhibits bioluminescence, and its conservation status.

Blast off!

Browse Other Projects on Experiment

Related Projects

Urban Pollination: sustain native bees & urban crops

Bee activity on our crop flowers is crucial to human food security, but bees are also declining around the...

Wormfree World - Finding New Cures

Hookworms affect the lives of more than 400,000,000 men, women and children around the world. The most effective...

Viral Causes of Lung Cancer

We have special access to blood specimens collected from more than 9,000 cancer free people. These individuals...

Backer Badge Funded

Add a comment