Giant Squid Detected Off Western Australia — First Time in 25 Years

eDNA from deep-sea canyons reveals the elusive Architeuthis dux lurking off the Ningaloo coast

For the first time in a quarter century, scientists have detected the legendary giant squid (Architeuthis dux) in waters off Western Australia. But they didn't see it — they found its DNA floating in seawater.

A Curtin University-led study used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to analyse deep submarine canyons off the Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) coast. The results were stunning: 226 species detected across samples from two canyons, including six positive hits for the giant squid. They also found numerous deep-sea creatures never before recorded in the region.

Key Evidence

• Published in Environmental DNA journal (May 2026)
• Curtin University collaboration with Western Australian Museum
• eDNA metabarcoding using COI Leray and 16S Fish assays
• Six positive samples for Architeuthis dux from two separate canyons
• Also detected: giant hydroids, deep-sea cucumbers, Dana octopus squid, faceless cusk eels

The Rational Explanation

eDNA detects genetic material shed by animals into the water. It confirms presence but not size, health, or number of individuals. This could be a single migrating animal. The technology is proven and reliable for presence/absence surveys.

What We Don't Know

How many giant squid inhabit these canyons. Whether the canyons serve as breeding or feeding grounds. What other deep-sea giants remain undetected. The total population of Architeuthis dux in the Indian Ocean.

The Rabbit Hole

Giant squids have eyes the size of dinner plates and can reach lengths of 13 metres (43 feet). They were considered mythical creatures until first photographed alive in 2004 off Japan. This detection, using cutting-edge eDNA technology, represents our best chance yet to understand one of the ocean's last great monsters.