Large squid sighted off Dana Point coastline

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Large squid have been appearing along the Dana Point coastline, the first record run of the large, blob-like creatures since 2011.

Most of the squid, known as Humboldt squid, weigh between 3 and 5 pounds. However, local fishermen have been known to catch squid weighing as much as 25 pounds in the past.

The squid were first spotted as dark, burgundy-colored blobs on the surface a few days ago.

The reason they’re at the top of the water is because they are feeding on an abundance of krill that has come into the area because of tidal flows.

The last large squid run was in September 2011, according to Donna Kalez, general manager of Dana Wharf Sportfishing.

Most of the squid have been found 3 to 4 miles from Dana Point Harbor and about 2 miles off the beach.

[For the Record, 3:50 p.m. Jan. 5: An earlier version of this post incorrectly referred to the squid found off Dana Point as giant squid. They should correctly be referred to as Humboldt squid.]

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-- KTLA