Squid warning on Vancouver Island

Dozens of Humboldt squid have washed up on Tofino, B.C., beaches, where an environmental group is warning people to stay away from the creatures during feeding frenzies.

Josie Osborne of the Raincoast Education Society said she counted 27 squid in the area on Friday afternoon, according to a report on the news website Westcoaster.ca.

Osborne said some were seen chasing prey near the shore of Chesterman Beach.

"If I was a surfer and I saw a whole pack of squid that was feeding I'd definitely move out of the area," she said of the squid, some of which were a metre long.

Squid are known to attack scuba divers during feeding frenzies in Mexico and California, Osborne said in the report.

"Perhaps they got caught in strong surface currents and waves," she said.

"The birds and amphipods have already been feeding on them."

According to the society, one squid washed ashore in Pachena Bay near Bamfield, B.C. Monday night, and another six washed ashore at Tofino's MacKenzie Beach Thursday evening.

"One fellow on the beach this morning related how last night he tried to get one back in the water, using a shovel," Osborne said.

"He said the squid squirted ink at him and tried to wrap its arms around the shovel."

Strong arms and sharp beaks

The animal's suckers and arms are strong and their beaks are sharp.

In August, dozens of squid washed ashore on local beaches.

At the time, Osborne said the animals were probably immature juveniles and may have been hunting before the water carried them to land.

Just days later, hundreds of pilchard washed ashore on the same beaches.

Dozens of jumbo Humboldt squid have also recently washed ashore in Sekiu, Wash.

They're named for their habitat in the warm Humboldt current along the South American coast.