Giant sea creatures are attacking coastal regions all around the world. Some weigh more than a Sumo wrestler. Is there potential for an immortal giant creature from the deep?
First, it was the giant “red devil” squid that attacked the coast of San Diego. The hostile creatures, which are known to attack divers, can grow up to five feet and weigh over 100 pounds. That’s a lot of calamari! Swimmers, however, should be safe, as the squids rarely come to the surface.
Some news reporters have been comparing this to a certain old school b-movie. This journalist, however, will not stoop that low! These squids aren’t attaching themselves to any bridges, nor is the event taking place in San Francisco!!
More insidious, perhaps, are the giant jellyfish that have been appearing along the coasts of Japan. These creatures from the deep can grow to be six and a half feet in diameter and weigh over 450 pounds. The spineless sea-goers are more common in China and Korea, but their recent appearance in Japan has caused a catastrophe for the local fishing industries.
The jellyfish tend to become tangled in the nets of fisherman, poking holes and tearing them to shreds, while also poisoning their would-be catch.
They also have an interesting defense tactic that makes them nearly impossible to ward off, though the Japanese government is mounting a task force to take on the problem. When killed or placed under the threat of attack Nomura’s Jellyfish release millions of sperm and eggs, which attach to coral formations. Once the water reaches ample conditions they disengage from the coral and become brand new miniature giant jellyfish that will undoubtedly grow up to become a menace to society.
In an exercise of free-market entrepreneurship, some Japanese citizens are taking advantage of the situation. Turns out the jellyfish can be made into pretty good tofu. Some say that jellyfish collagen is also very good for the skin.
How does this all tie-in to immortality? There is another interesting sea creature that seems to have the potential to live forever. The immortal jellyfish, known as the Turritopsis Nutricula, has the unique ability to revert back to a juvenile state after reaching maturity. Scientists believe that the process can go on forever, allowing the creature to potentially live forever.
Let’s just hope that Nomura’s Jellyfish doesn’t get the bright idea to cross breed with Turritopsis Nutricula, or we might have a catastrophic situation on our hands. The Age of the Jellyfish has begun.
I, for one, welcome our new jellyfish overlords!
