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Millions of bizarre sea creatures are storming the Pacific

Science June 19, 2017
Pickle-shaped pyrosomes are taking over the Pacific Ocean and washing up on beaches. The fire bodies are keeping fishermen from their work, as the creatures are clogging nets.

Millions of tropical sea creatures 'blooming' off B.C. coast

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Typically found in the tropics, we're seeing huge numbers of in the eastern Pacific. Read more

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Tropical, tube-shaped pyrosomes appear by the millions off Pacific NW & Alaska. No one knows why. via

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It's a pyrosome party off the West Coast this summer. The filter-feeding colonies are so prolific some Alaskan fishermen are staying ashore.

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Massive bloom of pickle-shaped sea creatures is all over the Pacific; one research net pulled up 60k in 5 mins."

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Oh my. "They are firm, like cucumbers, and covered with tiny bumps, but ooze a gelatinous pus when handled."

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This week, we've been dazzled by flurries of pyrosomes (gelatinous colonial tunicates) as ROV Hercules ascends to the surface!

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Continue to see Pyrosomes in top 200 m of water column, view from ROV ARGUS, watch

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Upper water column is full of Pyrosomes

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How deep do the pyrosomes extend as observd on the dives. This 'event' is big & prhaps unprecedented. Please share observations.Tx

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Seen them at several sites from the slope to out here at Endeavour, mostly top 50 m

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It's a pyrosome party every time we dive! Gobs of these gelatinous animals in the top 100m at night and 200m in the daytime.

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The latest mystery off the Pacific Northwest and Alaskan coasts: the appearance of these tropical "fire bodies."

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