Abercastle Beach Photo

Weird sea stuff: squid eggs

I have never seen anything like this before and cannot identify it - help would be appreciated! It was an udder-like structure, the whole mass about 1 foot across, with numerous lobes each several inches long, mottled, rubbery and flaccid but appearing to be partially filled with air as if for flotation. All these finger-like sacs were firmly attached along a central core. The mass was not slimy or unpleasant to handle and had no smell. There was no sign of any external or internal organs which led me to think it was a plant rather than a creature. Found towards the top of the beach where a freshwater stream runs into the harbour at Abercastle. It was the only one of its kind. Update: Thanks to Martyn Gorman for the information that this is a clump of squid eggcases that have become detached from their lodgement.

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