Loch Ness Monster Is Probably Eels

[theprestige]

A new paper has been published examining the "giant eel" hypothesis.

Foxon F
The Loch Ness Monster: If It’s Real, Could It Be an Eel?
JMIRx Bio 2023;1:e49063
doi: 10.2196/49063

Results:



Conclusions:

The title of the paper makes no sense to me. It's like titling a paper, "The Roswell UFO: If it's Real, Could It Be a Weather Balloon?"

The Loch Ness Monster isn't real. We know it's not real. We know the photos have been debunked. We know the sightings are either mundane misidentifications or the work of fabulists. There is no "if it's real".

There is, perhaps, "is it possible someone ignorant saw a giant eel and told themselves and others the myth must be true?"

That conclusion also is poorly worded: "The existence of exceedingly large eels in the loch is not likely based on purely statistical considerations."

The existence of large eels in the loch isn't based on statistical considerations. It's based on whether large exceedingly eels actually exist, and whether one actually exists in the loch.

 

[GlennB]

The existence of large eels in the loch isn't based on statistical considerations. It's based on whether large exceedingly eels actually exist, and whether one actually exists in the loch.

Yep. The British rod-caught record is around 11 lbs. Electrofishing in commercial fishing lakes, where fish are very well fed indeed, has yielded some a little above that weight. Monster freshwater eels simply don't exist.

 

[Puppycow]

Has anyone considered the "piece of driftwood" hypothesis?

 

[William Parcher]

Floating log was mentioned upthread.

 

[GlennB]

Lumps of wood are a bit slow-moving though

 

[Carrot Flower King]

Has anyone considered the "piece of driftwood" hypothesis?

Long been suggested, especially given the very large numbers of trees surrounding Loch Ness.

 

[arthwollipot]

The title of the paper makes no sense to me. It's like titling a paper, "The Roswell UFO: If it's Real, Could It Be a Weather Balloon?"

The Loch Ness Monster isn't real. We know it's not real. We know the photos have been debunked. We know the sightings are either mundane misidentifications or the work of fabulists. There is no "if it's real".

There is, perhaps, "is it possible someone ignorant saw a giant eel and told themselves and others the myth must be true?"

That conclusion also is poorly worded: "The existence of exceedingly large eels in the loch is not likely based on purely statistical considerations."

The existence of large eels in the loch isn't based on statistical considerations. It's based on whether large exceedingly eels actually exist, and whether one actually exists in the loch.

The Loch Ness Monster is a red herring - the paper was really about if it was statistically likely that an eel could grow to that size in the Loch. And the result was no, it it almost certainly couldn't.

 

[gnome]

How long have we all carried phones with cameras? About 12 years? How many sightings since then?

 

[Steve]

Are there any hovercraft in Loch Ness?

 

[GlennB]

Are there any hovercraft in Loch Ness?

They aren't a native species, no.

 

[arthwollipot]

Here we go.

Loch Ness monster enthusiasts set to embark on largest search for mythical creature in 50 years

In what is being touted as the largest search for "Nessie" in 50 years, Loch Ness monster enthusiasts are expected to flock to the Scottish Highlands this weekend to search for the mythical beast.

The Loch Ness Centre, a visitor attraction in the area, is calling it the largest search since the 1970s.

The centre is located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel where in 1933 manager Aldie Mackay reported spotting a "water beast" in the loch.

The story kicked off an enduring legend about an elusive monster and spawned hoaxes and hundreds of claimed sightings.

Numerous theories and explanations have been put forward over the years, including that the creature seen may have been a plesiosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile, giant eels or even swimming circus elephants.

The Loch Ness Centre said in a statement that this weekend modern technology such as drones that produce thermal images of the lake would "search the waters in a way that has never been done before".

"It's our hope to inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts," said Alan McKenna from Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), an independent and voluntary research team taking part in the search.

I wonder what they'll do when they find nothing notable?

 

[Orphia Nay]

Sales on blurry cameras set to rise.

 

[Puppycow]

Here we go.

Loch Ness monster enthusiasts set to embark on largest search for mythical creature in 50 years

I wonder what they'll do when they find nothing notable?

I imagine the real point is to cynically leverage the legend to encourage tourism and generate profits for the local tourism-related industries. They know full well that no such monster exists, but it attracts tourists just the same.

What will they when they find nothing notable? Count their profits and start planning the next year's event. Maybe make it an annual tradition. Call it "Nessie Con" for example.

 

[arthwollipot]

I imagine the real point is to cynically leverage the legend to encourage tourism and generate profits for the local tourism-related industries. They know full well that no such monster exists, but it attracts tourists just the same.

I am 100% certain that this is the case.

 

[Andy_Ross]

Loch Ness Monster?
This sums up what the experts know and how they know it

 

[catsmate]

Loch Ness Monster Is Probably Eels

Loch Nessmonster enthusiasts set to embark on largest search for mythical creature in 50 years

Hopefully with a hovercraft....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grA5XmBRC6g

 

[Gulliver Foyle]

Sales on blurry cameras set to rise.

Just buy vaseline, it's cheaper. Plus you can slather it over yourself if you feel like going for a dip.

 

[Carrot Flower King]

I imagine the real point is to cynically leverage the legend to encourage tourism and generate profits for the local tourism-related industries. They know full well that no such monster exists, but it attracts tourists just the same.

What will they when they find nothing notable? Count their profits and start planning the next year's event. Maybe make it an annual tradition. Call it "Nessie Con" for example.

Well, given that the whole schtick was made up by hoteliers at Drumnadrochit for exactly that reason back in the day.

As an aside when we were on our way to the East Neuk of Fife last September, we stopped just outside Kinghorn and sat looking out over the Firth of Forth on a calm, but very bright day. We saw at least 3 monster traces going down the firth, which had absolutely nothing what so ever to do with the trawler which had headed down the firth 5 minutes before and was completely out of sight when the monster traces appeared. Just saying...

 

[Darat]

Here we go.

Loch Ness monster enthusiasts set to embark on largest search for mythical creature in 50 years

I wonder what they'll do when they find nothing notable?

They will start to work on next year's marketing campaign.

ETA: Triple Ninja'd

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I've thought for a long time that the only way to expose the monster is to drain the loch! You'd have to dam both ends but with enough resources not a problem. Surely there is some nutty multi-billionaire that can be convinced to invest in such a project?

Though, I suppose the monster could escape in the dead o' night by gallooping its way across the countryside. Or through the underground tunnel to the sea.