[güttsfükk]

The Zuiyō Maru (瑞洋丸, Zuiyōmaru?) was a Japanese fishing trawler that caught a creature initially claimed to be a prehistoric plesiosaur off the coast of New Zealand in 1977. Although several Japanese scientists insisted it was "not a fish, whale, or any other mammal", analysis later indicated it was most likely the carcass of a basking shark by comparing the number of sets of amino acids in the muscle tissue

[chris]

holy shit, WTF is that thing

[güttsfükk]

sbbsakingshark?

this link tries to explain how that rotting mess was a shark and not a plesiosaur, though it does look a lot like a plesiosaur doesnt it

[kellyhound]

A decayed carcass accidentally netted by a Japanese trawler near New Zealand in 1977 has often been claimed by creationists and others to be a likely plesiosaur or prehistoric "sea-monster."

Plesiosaurs were a group of long-necked, predatory marine reptiles with four paddle-like limbs, thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago.

However, several lines of evidence, including lab results from tissue samples taken from the carcass before it was discarded, strongly point to the specimen being a shark, and most likely a basking shark.

This should not be surprising, since basking sharks are known to decompose into "pseudoplesiosaur" forms, and their carcasses have been mistaken for "sea-monsters" many times in the past.

Unfortunately, the results of scientific studies on the carcass data received less media attention than the early sensational reports, allowing widespread misconceptions about this case to continue circulating. Therefore, a thorough review of its history and the pertinent evidence is warranted.

On April 25, 1977, a fishing vessel named the Zuiyo-maru of the Taiyo Fishery Company Ltd. was trawling for mackerel about 30 miles east of Christchurch, New Zealand, when a large animal carcass became entangled in its nets at a depth of about 300 meters (almost 1000 feet).

As the massive creature, weighing about 4000 pounds, was drawn toward the ship and then hoisted above the deck, assistant production manager Michihiko Yano announced to the captain (Akira Tanaka), "It's a rotten whale!"

However, as Yano got a better look at the creature, he became less sure. About 17 other crew members also saw the carcass, some of whom speculated that it might be a giant turtle with the shell peeled off.

However, no one on board could say for sure what it was.

Despite the possible scientific significance of the find, the captain and crew agreed that the foul-smelling corpse should be thrown overboard to avoid spoiling the fish catch.

However, as the slimy carcass was being maneuvered over the ship in preparation for disposal, it slipped from its ropes and fell suddenly onto the deck.

This allowed the 39 year old Yano, a graduate of Yamaguchi Oceanological high school, to examine the creature more closely.

Although he was still unable to identify the animal, Yano felt it was definitely unusual, prompting him to take a set of measurements, along with five photographs using a camera borrowed from a shipmate.

The total length of the carcass measured 10 meters (about 33 feet). Yano also removed 42 pieces of "horny fiber" from an anterior fin, in hopes of aiding future identification efforts.

The creature was then released over the side and sank back into its watery grave.

Professor Yoshinori Imaizumi, director of animal research at Tokyo National Science Museum, was quoted in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper as saying, "It's not a fish, whale, or any other mammal...

It's a reptile, and the sketch looks very like a plesiosaur. This is a precious and important discover for human beings. It seems to show these animals are not extinct after all."

[chris]

Damn, I was hoping it was some kinda sea monster. Neat story though, it sure looks creepy..

[Sharon]

A rotten shark, boo Quite an amazing find, no wonder they thought it was something else!

[chris]

I be the smell would knock you right over

[güttsfükk]

merged mine and kelly's posts

[Hotstuff]

what a big....mess!

[smackem]

Needs alittle cocktail sauce, is all.