A Dark Side of the Moon

Almost every visitor that arrives and discovers Marco, Goodland, and the Isles of Capri is impressed beyond comparison. After exploring our islands from the land, the sea, and even under water, many travelers will ultimately ask similar questions: “Are the sea levels rising? Are the islands safe? Is the seafood industry sustainable? What about the panthers? Are there other exotic animals?

Until recently, for the Marco Beach Boys and Girls, the most common questions from visitors have always been easy to answer. The seafood industry is indeed sustainable - there seems to be more sea life than ever. Marco has one of the lowest crime rates in Florida; the sea levels appear to be the same as when the first sea walls were constructed, and there have been only a few invasive animals until now.

During recent lunar cycles - especially with a Super Moon - when the moon is closest to the earth, there have been reports of strange occurrences in the Ten Thousand Islands. During the full moon in February, two local fishing guides reported unusual scars on a very large hammerhead shark caught off Cape Romano. After the photographs from the hammerhead and a report were filed with state authorities, several other mariners have also filed reports describing strange sightings and unusual phenomenon especially during full moon nights.

After state authorities published the injured shark photos and reported large pools of very dark and ink-like fluid mixing with the local gulf waters, a special team of marine biologists arrived to investigate the unusual full moon phenomenon.

Heading up the international team of marine biologists for the Marco discovery is Dr. Hiro Tasaki of the Yokohama Deep-Sea Institute of Japan. Dr. Tasaki became world-renowned in 2019 for his discovery of what ancient mariners would describe as “The Kraken.” Captured on video under the Sea of Japan and filmed at a depth of more than 4,000 feet, is the best example of a living giant squid ever recorded.

“A giant squid found near a shallow water coast is truly an unusual find,” announced Dr. Tasaki at the Caxambas public boat ramp on March 17. “Our team is very excited to locate and examine what we believe to be a giant squid that has apparently been drawn in from deep to a new feeding ground in the waters off Marco Island. Every attempt will be made to return the deep-sea creature to the offshore depths where it belongs. The discovery of such an incredible specimen alive and aggressive in shallow water is indeed unprecedented but the DNA samples of the dark squid ink found near Caxambas pass are proof of the creature’s presence.”

“We know that giant squid are common in the gulf,” Dr. Tasaki continued, “But normally these deep-water predators are normally found well offshore in depths of up to 5,000 feet.

Global warming in deep gulf waters could be a factor for this incredible migration or even the sonic booms from military aircraft might be responsible, but perhaps more importantly is the lunar factor, or the SuperMoon phenomenon, which will be affecting the local tides for quite some time.”

“The moon,” Dr. Tasaki explained, “Is now approaching a five-hundred-year cycle in which our lunar neighbor will be the closest it has been to the earth for more than five centuries. The last time the moon was this close, and the lunar gravity this strong, was around 1522. This cyclic lunar event corresponds directly with the sea monster stories told by the ancient mariners of the early 1500’s—exactly five hundred years ago.”

Before the rising of the last full moon, Mike Houston of Oak Ridge Tennessee was flying a Cessna 172 over the Cape Romano shoals inbound from Key West to the Marco airport. His sunset sighting and cell phone photos have revealed the first actual images of the misplaced deep-sea creature active on the surface of the water.

“It was almost sunset,” Houston explained, “And the view was incredible. We were just crossing over the uninhabited islands to the south of Marco Island and turning to the north when we saw a very distinctive dark shape moving in the Gulf.”

“When we circled and flew lower for a closer look, several very large tentacles broke free from the water and appeared to reach up for the full moon that was rising. We also saw the giant squid’s eyes—very large and dark.”

Sally Houston in the passenger seat commented. “I am certainly glad we are not in a boat! Those legs must be at least 90 feet long.”

Ancient Calusa drawings recovered in the most recent archeological dig in old Marco have revealed crude images of squid-like creatures doing battle with Marco’s original Native American inhabitants.

After reviewing the Houston's aerial photos from the last full moon and the Native American images on the Old Marco pottery, Dr. Tasaki continued with his remarks to city officials. “There certainly seems to be a five-hundred-year pattern that matches the recent lunar cycle. March 18 was the last full moon. As the next full moon cycles even closer, we can probably expect future sightings. It certainly is possible the misplaced creature could navigate the extensive Marco canal systems in search of food. All residents should be made aware that a giant squid has a voracious appetite and is one of the most aggressive and intelligent hunters on the planet.”

After Dr. Tasaki and his team from Yokohama concluded their meeting with city officials, a tentative warning is now in effect for all islanders to be on the alert for unusual activities by waterfront homes. Dr. Tasaki finished his report with a final warning. “Until the spring tides and the next full moon cycle, boating at night should be avoided. The giant squid has the largest eye on the planet - about 18 inches across - and these very large eyes are extremely keen in dim and dark conditions. A giant squid would never surface in bright sunlight. The only occasion a giant squid of this type would ever surface would be for April fool’s Day!

The story above is a complete work of fiction, a product of an overactive imagination, and meant only as tribute to April fool’s Day!

When the Pope in 1582 decided the new Gregorian calendar should replace the previous Julian calendar, New Year’s day changed from April 1 to January 1. For many years afterward, the backwoods folk that did not know about the change still thought New Year’s Day was on April 1. Therefore, they were called “April fools” and a tradition of practical jokes, tall tales, and hilarity followed on this day around the world.

Tom Williams is a Marco Islander and the author of two books: “Lost and Found” and “Surrounded by Thunder - The Story of Darrell Loan and the Rocket Men.” Both books are available on Kindle and Nook.