View source for Biology:Centro del Calamar Gigante

{{Infobox museum
|name        = Centro del Calamar Gigante
|logo        = Centro del Calamar Gigante logo.jpg
|logo_caption= Museum logo that once adorned the [[Engineering:Façade|façade]]
|image       = 
|established = {{Start date|2010|08|13|df=y}}<ref name=opening />
|type        = [[Biology:Natural history museum|Natural history museum]]
|collections = [[Biology:Giant squid|Giant squid]] and other [[Biology:Cephalopod|cephalopod]]s, other [[Biology:Marine life|marine life]]
|area        = 
|mapframe    = yes
|mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|43|32|52.4|N|6|32|2.4|W}}|frame-width=250|zoom=14|frame-coord={{coord|43|32|49.44|N|6|32|2.40|W}}|marker=museum}}
|pushpin_map     = Spain Asturias#Spain#
|pushpin_relief  = 
|map_caption = Location within Asturias##Location within {{wipe|Spain}}
|coordinates = {{coord|43|32|52.4|N|6|32|2.4|W|type:landmark_region:ES|display=title,inline}}
|location    = Paseo del Muelle 25, Luarca, Asturias, {{wipe|Spain}}<ref>[http://www.equalitasvitae.com/es/guia/turismo_adaptado.php?local=centro_calamar_gigante C.I. Calamar Gigante]. ''Equalitas Vitae''. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6Ompd0M3H--></ref>
|visitors    = almost 25,000 (2013)<ref name=Serrano2014 />{{refn|group=nb|name=visitors|Another source from 2014 claims more than 26,000 annual visitors.<ref name=Guerra>Guerra, Á. (2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140305220425/http://www.cepesma.org/carta-del-dr-angel-guerra-del-consejo-superior-de-investigaciones-cientificas/cepesma/ Carta del Dr. Angel Guerra, del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]. [archived] ''CEPESMA'', 6 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6NkbfNW7E--></ref> A 2016 article in ''El Español'' gave a figure of around 20,000 for the number of regular visitors to the original museum during its entire existence between 2010 and 2014, not including some 50,000 children who participated in environmental education activities linked to the museum.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /> For comparison, the population of Luarca at the time was around 6000.<ref name=Chaparro2016 />}}
|director    = Luis Laria (2010–2014)<ref name=Lamanana />
|website     = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110519084004/http://www.cepesma.org/quienes-somos/centro-del-calamar-gigante/ Official website] (archived)
}}
'''Centro del Calamar Gigante''' ({{IPA-es|ˈθentɾo del kalaˈmaɾ xiˈɡante}}; {{lit|Giant Squid Centre}}){{refn|group=nb|name=name|Also known as '''Museo del Calamar Gigante'''<ref name=CEPESMA2011 /> ({{IPA-es|muˈseo del kalaˈmaɾ xiˈɡante|}}; {{lit|Giant Squid Museum}}) and '''Centro de Interpretación del Calamar Gigante'''<ref name=opening /> ({{IPA-es|ˈθentɾo de interpɾetaˈθjon del kalaˈmaɾ xiˈɡante|}}; {{lit|Giant Squid Interpretation Centre}}).}} was a [[Biology:Natural history museum|natural history museum]] located in Luarca, Asturias, {{wipe|Spain}}.<ref name=official /> It was administered by the marine conservation group {{ill|CEPESMA|es|Cepesma}}{{refn|group=nb|name=CEPESMA|Short for ''Coordinadora para el Estudio y la Protección de las Especies Marinas''<ref name=CEPESMA /> ({{lit|Coordinator for the Study and Protection of Marine Species}}).}} and held the association's [[Biology:Cephalopod|cephalopod]] collections together with other marine exhibits.<ref name=official>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110519084004/http://www.cepesma.org/quienes-somos/centro-del-calamar-gigante/ Centro del Calamar Gigante]. [archived] ''CEPESMA''. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmpZmR7L--></ref> It was described as the only museum in the world dedicated to the [[Biology:Giant squid|giant squid]] (''Architeuthis dux'')<ref name=Chaparro2016>Chaparro, L. (2016). [https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/medio-ambiente/20160218/103239919_0.html El Centro del Calamar Gigante de Asturias, en el abismo]. ''El Español'', 19 February 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>Staaf, D. (2017). [https://psmag.com/environment/marketing-the-mystery-of-the-giant-squid-36460 Marketing the mystery of the giant squid]. ''Pacific Standard'', 14 June 2017. [originally published on 29 September 2011]</ref>{{refn|group=nb|name=Glovers|But see the small museum that forms part of the [[Biology:Giant Squid Interpretation Site|Giant Squid Interpretation Site]] in Glovers Harbour, Newfoundland, {{wipe|Canada}}, which opened a year earlier, in 2009.<ref>Hickey, S. (2009). [http://gfwadvertiser.ca/index.cfm?sid=254138&sc=291 Super squid: Museum set to open next month]. ''Advertiser'' (Grand Falls), 25 May 2009.</ref>}} and held one of the world's most important collections of [[Biology:Cephalopod size|large cephalopods]],<ref name=RTPA2010>[https://www.rtpa.es/noticias-sociedad:El-Centro-del-Calamar-Gigante-celebra-una-jornada-de-puertas-abiertas_111281607420.html El Centro del Calamar Gigante celebra una jornada de puertas abiertas]. ''Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias'', 12 August 2010. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Sitges2003 /> including the largest collection of giant squid on public display.<ref name=lapresse />

Opened in August 2010, the museum was badly damaged by a storm in November of the same year and largely destroyed by another storm in February 2014. As the museum had been a major tourist attraction and an important contributor to Luarca's economy, there was strong local support for its reconstruction or relocation.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /><ref name=Serrano2014 /><ref name=LaVoz2017 /><ref name=Arrunada2019 /> After several years without progress, two proposals for relocation—first to an adjacent warehouse and later to a former cinema—were put forward and then abandoned, before the local government settled on its current plan to move the museum to a former nightclub. It is set to reopen towards the end of 2021.<ref name=VegaFernandez2021 />

==Background==
===Giant squid in Asturias===
From the latter half of the 20th century and continuing into the early 21st century, Asturias has been a global hotspot for giant squid specimens, contributing a significant fraction of all recorded individuals worldwide.<ref name=Guerraetal2006>Guerra, Á., Á.F. González, F. Rocha, J. Gracia & L. Laria (2006). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261452295_Enigmas_de_la_ciencia_el_calamar_gigante ''Enigmas de la Ciencia: El Calamar Gigante'']. CEPESMA, Vigo. 313&nbsp;pp. {{ISBN|978-84-609-9999-7}}. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Serrano2012>Serrano, A.M. (2012). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2012/10/01/asturias-paraiso-calamar-gigante-20798881.html Asturias, el paraíso del calamar gigante]. ''La Nueva España'', 1 October 2012. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=SenderismoenAsturias>Fernández-Pello García, J. ({{abbr|N.d.|No date}}). [http://www.senderismoenasturias.es/faucalam.htm Calamares gigantes en la costa de Asturias]. ''Senderismo en Asturias''. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=MartinezRon2018 /> Of the [[Biology:List of giant squid specimens and sightings#Total number of specimens|{{circa}} 650 specimens recorded globally]] as of 2012, 50 were documented in Asturian waters since 1956, or around one specimen per year.<ref name=Serrano2012 /><!--Between 1962 and 2016, 60 specimens were documented from northern Spain, for an average of just over one specimen per year.<ref name=Guerraetal2018 />--> They are known locally as ''peludines'' owing to the typical "peeled" appearance of specimens that have partially lost their delicate reddish skin.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /><ref name=Guerra2013 /><ref name=Vinas2013>Viñas, M.L. (2013). [https://www.elprogreso.es/articulo/noticias/monstrosa-vida-dos-peludines/20130920011500281624.html La monstruosa vida de los 'peludines']. ''El Progreso'' (Lugo), 20 September 2013. {{in lang|gl}}</ref><ref name=MartinezRon2018 />

The animals received little attention from the scientific community in Asturias, and Spain more generally, until local naturalist Luis Laria drew attention to them, beginning in the mid-1990s.<ref name=Guerra2013>Guerra, Á. (2013). [https://elpais.com/sociedad/2013/01/08/actualidad/1357636736_888640.html Persiguiendo al calamar gigante en Asturias: Varias expediciones españolas han buscado el 'Architeuthis dux']. ''El País'', 8 January 2013. {{in lang|es}}</ref> This marked the start of a long-term collaboration between Laria and [[Biology:Teuthology|cephalopod experts]] Ángel Guerra and Ángel F. González of [[Organization:Spanish National Research Council|CSIC]]'s Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas in Vigo, Galicia, who had previously examined only giant squid specimens from Namibia and {{wipe|South Africa}}.<ref name=Guerraetal2006 /><ref name=Guerra2013 /><ref name=MartinezRon2018>Martínez Ron, A. (2018). [https://www.vozpopuli.com/altavoz/next/ejercito-EEUU-calamares-Luarca-Washington_0_1148886465.html Cuando el ejército de EEUU se llevó dos calamares gigantes de Luarca a Washington]. ''Vozpópuli'', 28 June 2018. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The first joint dissection was carried out in Luarca in the winter of 1995, on an immature female from the Cantabrian coast weighing {{convert|104|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Guerra2013 />

===Work of CEPESMA===
In 1996 Laria founded the environmental conservation organisation CEPESMA, with the aim of protecting marine ecosystems and promoting environmental education.<ref name=CEPESMA>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110502161759/http://www.cepesma.org/quienes-somos ¿Que es Cepesma?] [archived] ''CEPESMA''. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Suarez2020b>Suárez, R. (2020). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/luis-laria-no-quiero-saber-futuro-museo-calamar-gigante-luarca-20201209000514-ntvo.html «No quiero saber nada del futuro Museo del Calamar Gigante que abrirá en Luarca»]. ''El Comercio'', 9 December 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tribunaciudadana.org/key/curso-2006---2007/luis-laria--naturalista-y-presidente-del-cepesma_2941_261_2993_0_1_in.html Luis Laria – Naturalista y Presidente del Cepesma]. ''Tribuna Ciudadana''. {{in lang|es}}</ref> It is through CEPESMA that much of the subsequent work on giant squid in the Asturian region was conducted. By July 2005, CEPESMA had handled 22 giant squid<ref>[http://www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/1780.htm El calamar gigante hallado en Gandia será estudiado en Asturias]. ''Bajoelagua'', 21 July 2005. {{in lang|es}}</ref><!--19 giant squid specimens in Luarca museum, per Sitges (2003)--> and by 2009 this number had risen to around 30 collected specimens, of which they had preserved around 20; that year the group received their first specimen with intact eyes.<ref name=Cascudo2009>Cascudo, T. (2009). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2009/11/10/necropsia-calamar-gigante-ojos-intactos-21445353.html La necropsia al calamar gigante de ojos intactos se hará a principios de diciembre]. ''La Nueva España'', 10 November 2009. {{in lang|es}}</ref> By 2013, 27 giant squid specimens had been examined by the team.<ref name=Guerra2013 /><!--Guerra estimated 30-40 specimens dissected and prepared between 1999 and 2008<ref name=MartinezRon2018 />--> During this time they developed novel [[Biology:Taxidermy|taxidermy]] methods to better preserve and display giant squid, which involved emptying the [[Biology:Mantle (mollusc)|mantle]] of its internal organs and replacing them with a semi-rigid structure constructed from fishing nets, before submerging the whole specimen in a [[Physics:Formaldehyde|formaldehyde]] solution.<ref name=MartinezRon2018 />

Giant squid specimens from CEPESMA were loaned to a number of institutions around the world, including a male and a female to the National Museum of Natural History in [[Place:Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.]], {{wipe|United States}} (for [[Finance:Euro|€]]50,000;<ref name=AsturiasEngancha /> equivalent to {{wipe|United States dollar}}{{Formatnum:{{To USD|50000|EUR|year=2008|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), and another specimen to Biarritz Aquarium in Biarritz, {{wipe|France}}.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /><ref name=MartinezRon2018 /><ref>[https://www.lne.es/asturias/2007/03/03/laria-investigacion-calamares-gigantes-dado-21920265.html Laria: «La investigación de los calamares gigantes nos ha dado protagonismo mundial»]. ''La Nueva España'', 3 March 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===Local abundance===
The frequency of records from the Carrandi fishing grounds off Asturias has been attributed to a confluence of factors, including the presence of three extensive [[Earth:Submarine canyon|submarine canyon]]s near the coast; the local abundance of the giant squid's favoured prey, [[Biology:Blue whiting|blue whiting]] (''Micromesistius poutassou''); the intensity of the fishing effort in the area; the tendency of local fishermen to report specimens; and the work of CEPESMA in recording and securing specimens.<ref name=Serrano2012 /><ref name=MarioArce2013>Mario Arce, L. (2013). [https://www.lne.es/asturias/2013/01/16/viva-imagen-kraken-20721884.html La viva imagen del «kraken»]. ''La Nueva España'', 16 January 2013. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Geophysical prospecting employing air-gun arrays has also been implicated in several mass stranding events.<ref>Guerra, Á., Á.F. González & F. Rocha (2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080227173222/http://www.anp.gov.br/guias_r8/sismica_r8/Bibliografia/Guerra%20et%20al%202004%20-%20%20Giant%20Squid%20Stranding%20-%20ICES2004.pdf A review of the records of giant squid in the north-eastern Atlantic and severe injuries in ''Architeuthis dux'' stranded after acoustic explorations]. ICES Annual Science Conference 22–25 September 2004, Vigo, Spain.</ref><ref>Guerra, Á., Á.F. González, F. Rocha, J. Gracia & M. Vecchione (2004). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261458549_Calamares_gigantes_varados_victimas_de_exploraciones_acusticas Calamares gigantes varados: Víctimas de exploraciones acústicas]. ''Investigación y Ciencia'' [2004](334)[Jul.]: 35–37. {{in lang|es}}<!--https://www.investigacionyciencia.es/revistas/investigacion-y-ciencia/el-tiempo-antes-de-la-gran-explosin-380/calamares-gigantes-varados-vctimas-de-exploraciones-acsticas-3709--></ref><ref>Guerra, Á. & Á.F. González (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070811/http://www.brasil-rounds.gov.br/round9/arquivos_r9/guias_R9/sismica_R9/Bibliografia/Umweltbundesamt%202006%20.pdf Severe injuries in the giant squid ''Architeuthis dux'' stranded after seismic explorations]. [pp.&nbsp;32–38] In: H. Herata (ed.) ''International Workshop: Impacts of seismic survey activities on whales and other marine biota. Dessau, September 6–7, 2006. Proceedings.'' Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Dessau. 86&nbsp;pp.</ref> The local abundance of specimens spurred an ultimately unsuccessful 2001–2002 effort to film the giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time, dubbed ''Proyecto Kraken'' ("Project Kraken").<ref name=Sitges2003>Sitges, F.G. (director) (2003). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LqJoSQe_7Y ''Proyecto Kraken: En Busca del Calamar Gigante'']. [documentary film] Transglobe Films. 52 mins. {{in lang|es}} [English version: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeGZo1HShYI ''Kraken Project: In Search of the Giant Squid''].]</ref><ref name=Guerra2013 /><ref>Barreiro, R. (2002). [https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/galicia/2002/08/20/buscan-primera-imagen-calamar-gigante-cantabrico/0003_1197798.htm Buscan la primera imagen de un calamar gigante en el Cantábrico]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 20 August 2002. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>Soriano, O. (2003). Tracking the giant squid. ''Science'' '''300'''(5616)[4 Apr.]: 47. {{DOI|10.1126/science.300.5616.47d}}</ref><ref>El proyecto "Kraken" repite la investigación científica. ''La Nueva España'', 11 September 2002. {{in lang|es}}</ref> On 7 October 2016, a live adult giant squid was photographed swimming off neighbouring Galicia, marking the first time this had been achieved outside of {{wipe|Japan}}ese waters.<ref name=Guerraetal2018>Guerra, Á., Á.F. González & G.J. Pierce (2018). First record on stranding of a live giant squid ''Architeuthis dux'' outside Japanese waters. ''Ecology'' '''99'''(3)[Mar.]: 755–757. {{DOI|10.1002/ecy.2073}}</ref><ref>Keartes, S. (2016). [https://www.earthtouchnews.com/oceans/deep-ocean/washed-up-giant-squid-shows-signs-of-fierce-deep-sea-fight/ Washed-up giant squid shows signs of fierce deep-sea fight]. ''Earth Touch News Network'', 13 October 2016.</ref><ref>Preston, E. (2018). [https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/03/ahoy-squiddy/554954/ The bloody pirate life of one of the ocean's most elusive creatures]. ''The Atlantic'', 6 March 2018.</ref>

==History==
===Early giant squid exhibits===
The giant squid collection that would form the core of Centro del Calamar Gigante began with the arrival of the first specimen in Luarca in 1997.<ref name=Serrano2020c>Serrano, A.M. (2020). [https://afondo.lne.es/asturias/eterna-juventud-para-el-calamar-gigante.html Eterna juventud para el calamar gigante]. ''La Nueva España'', 30 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The embryonic collection was originally exhibited at the Padre Galo public school (''Colegio Público Padre Galo'') in the centre of Luarca from early 1998.<ref name=RTPA2010 /><ref name=Pelaez2007b>Peláez, E. (2007). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2007/12/18/exposicion-calamares-gigantes-luarca-cerrara-21783031.html La exposición de calamares gigantes de Luarca cerrará sus puertas el 7 de enero]. ''La Nueva España'', 18 December 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=QueverdeAsturias>[https://queverdeasturias.com/valdes/58-centro-del-calamar-gigante.html Centro del Calamar Gigante en Valdés]. ''Qué ver de Asturias''. {{in lang|es}}</ref> In November 2002,<ref name=firstplan /> the growing collection was transferred, with financial help from the Principality of Asturias, to Luarca's Villar youth hostel, where {{convert|600|m2|sqft}} was made available.<ref name=Pelaez2008b /> It remained there until forced to close on 7 January 2008 due to the poor state of the building and its supposedly imminent demolition.<ref name=Pelaez2007b /><ref name=Fernandez2007>Fernández, D. (2007). [https://www.elcomercio.es/gijon/20071208/occidente/aula-luarca-trasladara-mata-20071208.html El Aula del Mar de Luarca se trasladará a La Mata durante la reforma del albergue]. ''El Comercio'', 8 December 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Pelaez2008a>Peláez, E. (2008). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2008/01/07/aula-mar-aleja-luarca-21771573.html El Aula del Mar se aleja de Luarca]. ''La Nueva España'', 7 January 2008. {{in lang|es}}</ref> It was subsequently moved to a {{convert|160|m2|sqft|adj=on}}<ref name=Pelaez2008b /> warehouse of {{ill|Luarca station|es|Estación de Luarca}}, loaned by national railway operator FEVE.<ref name=RTPA2010 /><ref name=Serrano2014 /><ref name=QueverdeAsturias /> The giant squid collection was to be publicly displayed there until the construction of the new museum in Luarca port, but these plans were scuppered by humidity problems in the warehouse.<ref name=Pelaez2008b /> In the end, only the 16 schools that had previously arranged visits were shown the collection at this temporary venue.<ref name=Pelaez2008b>Peláez, E. (2008). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2008/05/01/aula-mar-abrira-puertas-sede-21709307.html El Aula del Mar no abrirá sus puertas en la sede provisional por problemas de humedad]. ''La Nueva España'', 1 May 2008. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Luis Laria stated that the warehouse "does not meet the minimum conditions [...] it would not be dignified to charge entrance to a visitor on whom the paintwork will fall" ("''no cumple las mínimas condiciones'' [...] ''no sería digno cobrar la entrada a un visitante al que se le caerá la pintura encima''").<ref name=Pelaez2008b /> Laria also criticised the forced move from Villar youth hostel, which at that point (May 2008) was still standing.<ref name=Pelaez2008b />

Throughout this time the giant squid collection formed part of a wider exhibit known as '''Aula del Mar''' ("Classroom of the Sea"), which also encompassed items related to [[Earth:Climate change|climate change]], cetaceans, [[Biology:Turtle|turtle]]s, [[Biology:Crustacean|crustacean]]s, and [[Biology:Mollusc|mollusc]]s.<ref name=Pelaez2007b /><ref name=Fernandez2007 /><ref name=Pelaez2008a /> It received around 4000 school children per year.<ref name=Pelaez2008a /> Of the total collection, which occupied some {{convert|1200|m2|sqft}}, around 30% would go on to be exhibited at Centro del Calamar Gigante.<ref name=Pelaez2008a />

===Planning for a new museum===
In 2005 the Principality of Asturias committed €300,500 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|300500|EUR|year=2005|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) towards the relocation of Aula del Mar.<ref name=firstplan /> As a major local tourist attraction, Valdés mayor Juan Fernández Pereiro advocated for the new exhibition to be located in the centre of Luarca where it would receive more visitors.<ref name=firstplan /> The first proposal called for part of the fishermen's warehouses (formerly a cannery) at the end of Luarca dock to be set aside for the exhibition, but this was rejected by the owners, and a proposal to construct the museum as an annex to the existing warehouses was taken forward instead.<ref name=firstplan />

Detailed plans for Centro del Calamar Gigante were released in May 2007, with works set to start in July.<ref name=firstplan>[http://www.bajoelagua.com/articulos/vida-marina/calamares-gigantes-cepesma-nuevo-centro_2914.htm Nuevo centro para el estudio de los calamares gigantes de Cepesma]. ''La Nueva España'', 4 May 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref> At the time, Vicente Álvarez Areces, the President of the Principality of Asturias, said that the museum would be "an international reference center for the exhibition and dissemination of cephalopods" ("''un centro de referencia internacional de exposición y divulgación de cefalópodos''").<ref name=firstplan /> At its new location it was expected to double the 30,000 visitors to Aula del Mar in 2006.<ref name=firstplan /> In October 2007 Areces announced that Centro del Calamar Gigante would open in 2009.<ref>[https://www.lne.es/occidente/2007/10/18/museo-calamar-gigante-luarca-estara-21815014.html El museo del calamar gigante de Luarca estará operativo en 2009]. ''La Nueva España'', 18 October 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Work would involve stabilising the slope adjacent to the museum site.<ref name=Pelaez2008b />

===Opening and facilities===
After some delays, the museum opened its doors to the public on 13 August 2010, with an official inauguration taking place in September.<ref name=opening>[http://www.elcomercio.es/20100813/asturias/centro-interpretacion-calamar-gigante-201008132024.html El Centro de Interpretación del Calamar Gigante de Luarca abre sus puertas]. ''El Comercio'', 13 August 2010. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmpW54ns--></ref><ref name=RTPA2010 /> It was visited by 14,000 people in the first three months.<ref name=urge>[http://www.elcomercio.es/agencias/20101207/mas-actualidad/cultura/cepesma-urge-principado-repare-centro_201012071813.html El Cepesma urge al Principado a que repare el Centro del Calamar Gigante]. ''El Comercio'', 7 December 2010. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmqcidDY--></ref>

The museum building, which had {{convert|908.75|m2|sqft}} of floorspace and a {{convert|66.25|m2|sqft|adj=on}} [[Engineering:Patio|patio]], was built at a cost of €1,260,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|1260000|EUR|year=2010|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), financed by the  Principality of Asturias.<ref name=opening /> The Asturian government contributed an additional €315,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|315000|EUR|year=2010|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) through the Tourism Product Revitalisation Plan for Comarca Vaqueira (''Plan de Dinamización Producto Turístico "Comarca Vaqueira"'').<ref name=opening /> The exterior was clad in grey [[Earth:Quartzite|quartzite]] at ground level and aluminium composite on the upper two floors.<ref name=opening /> The rear of the building was attached to existing fishermen's warehouses.<ref name=opening /> The building's location, at the end of Luarca port, left it highly exposed to the elements, and it had already suffered storm damage during its construction when a partition wall was washed away.<ref name=Serrano2014>Serrano, M.L. (2014). [https://www.lne.es/asturias/2014/02/09/gigante-fiasco-museo-calamar-20094187.html El gigante fiasco del Museo del Calamar]. ''La Nueva España'', 9 February 2014. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Both construction and subsequent repairs were undertaken by the construction company Sardesa Española.<ref name=Serrano2014 />

The collections were spread across three floors<ref name=Gayoso2016a /> and included eleven giant squid (''Architeuthis dux'') specimens and three of ''[[Biology:Taningia danae|Taningia danae]]'', the Dana octopus squid, including [[Biology:Cephalopod size#Dana octopus squid (Taningia danae)|a giant female]] weighing {{convert|124|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Guerraetal2011>Guerra, Á., Á.F. González, S. Pascual & E.G. Dawe (2011). The giant squid ''Architeuthis'': an emblematic invertebrate that can represent concern for the conservation of marine biodiversity. ''Biological Conservation'' '''144'''(7): 1989–1997. {{DOI|10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.021}}</ref><ref>González, Á.F., Á. Guerra & F. Rocha (2003). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/ssar/2003/00000088/00000004/art00005 New data on the life history and ecology of the deep-sea hooked squid ''Taningia danae'']. ''Sarsia'' '''88'''(4): 297–301.</ref> The squid collection alone was valued at €2 million (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|2000000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), with the individual giant squid specimens worth approximately €150,000 each (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|150000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=Serrano2014 /> The specimens were preserved in an alcohol-based solution that CEPESMA had determined to be particularly conducive to long-term display with minimal deterioration.<ref name=Serrano2020c />

[[File:Luarca - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|centre|900px|Panoramic view of Luarca harbour, October 2010, showing the original (still undamaged) museum building in the centre-left of the frame, facing the breakwater]]

===November 2010 storm damage and reopening===
In November 2010 the museum had to close temporarily after being seriously damaged by a storm, the damage amounting to more than €140,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|140000|EUR|year=2010|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=urge /> The problem was compounded by CEPESMA's financial situation at the time, with the association unable to fund its activities and having to lay off staff.<ref name=funding>[http://www.elcomercio.es/v/20101209/occidente/cepesma-asegura-animales-corren-20101209.html Cepesma asegura que 200 animales corren peligro por falta de fondos]. ''El Comercio'', 9 December 2010. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmqSAslt--></ref> Plans were drawn up for a concrete wall that would protect the museum from future wave damage<ref name=funding /> at a cost of €573,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|573000|EUR|year=2011|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=reopening>[http://www.elcomercio.es/20110421/asturias/occidente/luarca-abre-museo-calamar-201104210927.html Luarca abre hoy el Museo del Calamar Gigante]. ''El Comercio'', 21 April 2011. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmrGZdkR--></ref> CEPESMA eventually had to take out a €35,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|35000|EUR|year=2011|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) loan to repair the damage.<ref name=Serrano2014 /> The museum reopened on 21 April 2011 after a little over two weeks of repair work to the ground floor and access area.<ref name=reopening /> The museum received 1,670 visitors in its first four days after reopening.<ref name=CEPESMA2011>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110504080809/http://www.cepesma.org/el-museo-del-calamar-gigante-de-luarca-reanuda-su-actividad-por-todo-lo-alto/cepesma/ El Museo del Calamar Gigante de Luarca reanuda su actividad por todo lo alto]. [archived] ''CEPESMA'', 27 April 2011. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6OmrOjWJD--></ref>

The number of visitors rose 17% between 2012 and 2013, which was largely attributed to increased media exposure for CEPESMA.<ref name=RTPA2013>[https://www.rtpa.es/noticias-asturias:El-Centro-del-Calamar-Gigante-de-Luarca-aumenta-sus-visitas-un-17%25-_111380012459.html El Centro del Calamar Gigante de Luarca aumenta sus visitas un 17%]. ''Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias'', 24 September 2013. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The museum occasionally hosted special events, such as the first conference on cephalopod science and gastronomy in September 2012<ref name=Serrano2012 /> and a three-day conference on cetaceans in February 2013.<ref>[https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1729136/0/ El Centro del Calamar Gigante de Luarca organiza las 'I Jornadas sobre cetáceos en el noroeste y norte peninsular']. ''20 minutos'', 12 February 2013. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===February 2014 destruction===
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="The storms did damage, but the most serious was the political one, the damage of unreason, apathy, and thoughtlessness. In the short time it was open, it was twice damaged from the sea and then twice more, [the latter] perhaps more painful. Just 15 days {{sic}} after the second storm, a group of vandals created more than 20,000 euros [equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|20000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}] in damages, with fire extinguishers, they threw everything, they entered to vandalise. That was the most important damage on a moral level and then the political one, due to inaction and disregard, because they also threw out two million euros [equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|2000000|EUR|year=2010|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}], which was what the museum cost."{{refn|group=nb|name=quote1|Original Spanish quotation: "''Los temporales hicieron un daño, pero el más grave fue el político, el daño de la sinrazón, la apatía, la desconsideración. Del poco tiempo que estuvo abierto tuvo dos daños por el mar y después otros dos más, quizás más dolorosos. Justo a los 15 días del segundo temporal, un grupo de vándalos creó más de 20.000 euros en daños, con extintores, todo lo tiraron, entraron de forma vandálica. Ese fue el daño más importante a nivel moral y luego el político, por la inacción y la desconsideración, porque tiraban también dos millones de euros, que fue lo que costó el museo.''"<ref name=Garcia2020>Garcia, Y. (2020). [https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2020/10/05/mi-calamar-gigante-luarca-museo-maldito/00031601901941913145528.htm «Para mí, el del Calamar Gigante de Luarca ha sido un museo maldito»]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 6 October 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref>}}|source=—Luis Laria, museum founder, from an October 2020 interview with ''La Voz de Galicia''<ref name=Garcia2020 />}}
On 2 February 2014 the museum was hit by a devastating storm that washed away the building's partition walls, doors, and any loose items inside, including specimens, chairs, and a collection of exhibited paintings.<ref name=Lamanana>[https://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/la-manana/manana-museo-del-calamar/2371467/ Arrasado el Museo del Calamar en Luarca]. [video] ''La mañana'' (RTVE), 3 February 2014. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Serrano2014 /> The lower two of its three floors were directly affected<ref name=Gayoso2016a /> and the lighting system destroyed.<ref name=Serrano2014 /> Centro del Calamar Gigante once held the world's largest collection of giant squid, but many [[Biology:List of giant squid specimens and sightings|of the museum's specimens]] were destroyed during the storm.<ref name=lapresse>[http://www.lapresse.ca/voyage/destinations/europe/espagne/201402/03/01-4735031-une-tempete-detruit-la-plus-grande-collection-de-calamars-geants-au-monde.php Une tempête détruit «la plus grande collection» de calamars géants au monde]. ''La Presse'', 3 February 2014. {{in lang|fr}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6NsfHvT5n--></ref><ref name=Vasquez>Vázquez, V.M. (2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140305221213/http://www.cepesma.org/asturias-por-cepesma/cepesma/ Asturias por Cepesma]. [archived] ''CEPESMA'', 10 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6Nkbucp45--></ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140302195258/http://www.cepesma.org/sin-palabras/cepesma/ Sin palabras]. [archived] ''CEPESMA'', 4 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6NkbOETD0--></ref>{{refn|group=nb|name=number|Sources differ as to the number of giant squid specimens held by the museum prior to its destruction, with numbers ranging from 14<ref name=lapresse /> to as many as 31.<ref>[http://www.abc.es/ciencia/20130817/abci-calamar-gigante-asturias-201308171419.html Llega a la costa asturiana el cadáver de un calamar gigante de 80 kilos]. ''ABC'', 17 August 2013. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6JdaF1IGq--></ref> The number lost in the storm of February 2014 has been variously reported as 4<ref name=lapresse /> or 11.<ref name=Gandia>[http://www.levante-emv.com/comarcas/2014/02/04/calamar-gigante-gandia-salva-temporal/1075304.html El calamar gigante de Gandia se salva del temporal del Cantábrico]. ''Levante-EMV'', 4 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6NsfoK9JS--></ref> The museum's official website mentioned 9 "large" giant squid specimens.<ref name=official /> According to an extended report in ''La Nueva España'', losses resulting from the events of February 2014 included four giant squid (including the longest specimen, measuring {{convert|13.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>[https://fusionasturias.com/concejos/valdes/centro-del-calamar-gigante-los-amos-de-las-profundidades.htm Centro del Calamar Gigante. Los amos de las profundidades]. ''Fusión Asturias'', 1 June 2011. {{in lang|es}}</ref>), a {{convert|2.5|m|ft|adj=on}} mako shark weighing {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}},<ref name=Alvarez2014 /> and various abyssal species and other cephalopods, with a total value of almost €700,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|700000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=Serrano2014 />}} Some were swept out to sea while others could not be saved because their damaged tanks had lost their preservative fluid.<ref name=where /> One of the specimens that survived was a giant squid caught off Gandia in July 2005 – the first male recorded from the [[Place:Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name=Gandia />

The destruction of the museum was blamed on the poor quality of the original construction and subsequent repairs, which were described as "a botch" ("''una chapuza''"), with walls far too thin to withstand the force of the waves and strong winds that might be expected in such an exposed location.<ref name=Serrano2014 /><ref name=abandoned /><ref name=Muniz2016>Muñiz, I.G. (2016). [https://fusionasturias.com/entrevistas/luis-laria-naturalista-y-fundador-de-cepesma-el-ser-humano-acabara-comiendo-pienso.htm Luis Laria. Naturalista y fundador de Cepesma. 'El ser humano acabará comiendo pienso']. ''Fusión Asturias'', 2 June 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The placement of the electrical panel at ground level was also singled out as "a huge risk" ("''un riesgo enorme''"), as was the choice of large glass panels facing out to sea.<ref name=Serrano2014 /> A cannery that was later modified into the fishermen's warehouses that attach to the rear of the museum building was similarly exposed for many years yet never suffered serious damage.<ref name=firstplan /><ref name=Serrano2014 /> Museum director Luis Laria asserted that "if it were made of concrete there would not have been the slightest problem" ("''si fuese de hormigón no habría habido ni el más mínimo problema''").<ref name=abandoned />

A few days after the storm the museum was broken into at night and vandalised.<ref name=Alvarez2014>Álvarez, L. (2014). [http://www.elcomercio.es/20140210/asturias/occidente/museo-calamar-primero-destrozado-201402102131.html Luis Laria: "Alguien disfrutó de lo lindo arrasando lo que quedaba en el Museo del Calamar"]. ''El Comercio'', 10 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6Omsaew5B--></ref><ref name=Linares>Linares, M.G. (2014). [http://www.lne.es/occidente/2014/02/14/vandalismo-vendavales/1542759.html Vandalismo y vendavales]. ''La Nueva España'', 14 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6Nkc4GoCq--></ref><ref name=ataque>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201914/http://www.cepesma.org/ataque-vandalico-al-museo-del-calamar-gigante/cepesma/ Ataque vandálico al Museo del Calamar Gigante]. [archived] ''CEPESMA'', 10 February 2014. {{in lang|es}} <!--http://www.webcitation.org/6NxBHvz4t--></ref> The vandals gained entry by breaking locks and doors.<ref name=ataque /> Tanks were smashed with [[Engineering:Fire extinguisher|fire extinguisher]]s, exhibits and furniture destroyed, televisions and a DVD player stolen, and obscenities scrawled across the walls.<ref name=Alvarez2014 /><ref name=ataque /> The extensive damage to the specimen tanks, some of which cost around €5000–6000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|5000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}}–{{Formatnum:{{To USD|6000|EUR|year=2014|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) each, forced the relocation of the surviving specimens.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /> Luis Laria saw this act of vandalism as "the straw that breaks the camel's back" ("''la gota que colma el vaso''").<ref name=Alvarez2014 /> Thereafter, the museum remained closed until further notice.<ref name=official /> An online petition was soon started with the aim of either rebuilding the museum at its original location with an improved design or else relocating it.<ref>[https://www.asturiasmundial.com/noticia/55745/apoya-tu-firma-reconstruccion-centro-calamar-gigante/ ¡Apoya con tu firma la reconstrucción del Centro del Calamar Gigante!] ''Asturias Mundial'', 4 February 2014. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Accounts for collecting donations were opened by St. Timothy's Brotherhood (''Cofradía de San Timoteo'') in Luarca and CEPESMA volunteers in Gijón.<ref name=AsturiasEngancha>[https://asturiasengancha.es/museo-del-calamar-gigante/ Museo del Calamar Gigante]. ''Asturias Engancha'', 10 February 2014. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[https://fusionasturias.com/concejos/valdes/el-museo-del-calamar-gigante-en-suspenso.htm El Museo del Calamar Gigante, en suspenso]. ''Fusión Asturias'', 29 April 2014. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===Abandonment of site===
[[File:Luarca - panoramio (5).jpg|thumb|300px|View from the opposite side of Luarca harbour, showing the damaged museum building and adjacent fishermen's premises, September 2014]]
In early 2015, more than a year after its destruction, the museum was described as having been abandoned, with the building left unprotected and its interior still filled with rubble.<ref name=abandoned /> It was said to have suffered further damage from subsequent winter storms and vandalism.<ref name=abandoned /> However, Valdés mayor Simón Guardado insisted that protective fences had been installed and that the site was checked periodically.<ref name=abandoned>[https://www.europapress.es/asturias/noticia-museo-calamar-gigante-continua-futuro-corto-plazo-abandonado-20150517105953.html El museo del Calamar Gigante continúa sin futuro a corto plazo y abandonado]. ''Europa Press'', 17 May 2015. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Guardado also announced that options would be explored to build a screen that would protect the facility against further storm damage.<ref name=abandoned /> The Principality of Asturias was said to be working on a project that would be put out to tender in the next legislature, though no firm deadlines were given.<ref name=abandoned /> Prior to regional and municipal elections in May 2015, a meeting between the regional government and Valdés municipal council (to which Luarca belongs) was held to discuss the museum's future, but as of February 2016 no decision had been made owing to budgetary constraints.<ref name=Chaparro2016 /><ref>Chaparro, L. (2016). [https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/20160218/103269674_3.html El ocaso de una joya marina]. ''El Español'', 18 February 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Gayoso2016a>Gayoso, D. (2016). [https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2016/02/03/museo-calamar-gigante-muere-luarca-ponga-remedio/0003_201602X3C7991.htm El Museo del Calamar Gigante «muere» en Luarca sin que nadie ponga remedio]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 3 February 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

On 31 May 2016, Valdés mayor Simón Guardado held a meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure, Belén Fernández, in which it was agreed that a temporary home would be found for the giant squid collection, with a commitment to eventually recover the original museum building.<ref name=Cascudo2016>Cascudo, T. (2016). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2016/05/31/calamares-gigantes-luarca-tendran-sede-19556719.html Los calamares gigantes de Luarca tendrán una sede temporal]. ''La Nueva España'', 31 May 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref> This would involve rebuilding the museum and reinforcing the adjacent [[Engineering:Pier|pier]], with an aim to put the project out to tender between late 2016 and early 2017.<ref name=Cascudo2016 /> A demonstration in support of rebuilding Centro del Calamar Gigante was held in front of the abandoned structure in Luarca port on 4 June 2016.<ref name=Gayoso2016b /><ref name=noprogress /> However, Luis Laria stated that no progress had been made following a meeting with Simón Guardado later that month.<ref name=noprogress>[https://www.lne.es/occidente/2016/06/11/avances-busqueda-sede-temporal-calamares-19550150.html Sin avances en la búsqueda de sede temporal para los calamares gigantes de Luarca]. ''La Nueva España'', 11 June 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

On 4 February 2017, almost exactly three years after its destruction, another demonstration calling for the museum's reopening was organised.<ref name=Serrano2017a>Serrano, A.M. (2017). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2017/02/04/luarca-lucha-calamares-gigantes-19394326.html Luarca lucha por los calamares gigantes]. ''La Nueva España'', 4 February 2017. {{in lang|es}}</ref> On the same day, the Principality of Asturias announced that it would commit €60,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|60000|EUR|year=2017|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) towards cleaning up the museum building in time for Easter.<ref name=viability>[https://www.rtpa.es/noticias-asturias:El-Gobierno-estudia-la-viabilidad-de-recuperar-el-Museo-del-Calamar--_111485871992.html El Gobierno estudia la viabilidad de recuperar el Museo del Calamar]. ''Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias'', 4 February 2017. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Additionally, the Ministry of Development was to initiate a €200,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|200000|EUR|year=2017|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) study into local sea dynamics to determine whether the site was viable for such a museum.<ref name=Serrano2017a /><ref name=viability /> It was said the study could be completed by the end of the year.<ref name=viability />

In late 2017 CEPESMA president Luis Laria donated the remaining museum collections, including 11 giant squid<ref name=MartinezRon2018 /><ref name=Gayoso2019 /> (of which four had been acquired since the museum's destruction, as new specimens<ref name=GomezBolivar2015>Gómez, I. & P. Bolívar (2015). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/201508/11/parque-vida-incorpora-muestra-20150811001144-v.html El Parque de la Vida incorpora a la muestra de calamares gigantes un ejemplar capturado en Guipúzcoa]. ''El Comercio'', 11 August 2015. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=DelGallo2015>Del Gallo, P. (2015). [https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia/2015/11/24/56544595e2704e2d168b465b.html Capturan un calamar gigante en Asturias]. ''El Mundo'', 24 November 2015. {{in lang|es}}</ref> and returns from Biarritz Aquarium in {{wipe|France}}<ref name=Gayoso2016b>Gayoso, D. (2016). [https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2016/06/01/llegan-calamares-gigantes-luarca-tirados-prado/0003_201606X1C1993.htm Llegan más calamares gigantes a Luarca y están tirados en un prado]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 1 June 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref>) to Valdés municipal council and stated that CEPESMA would not be involved in the management of the new museum;<ref name=LaVoz2017>[https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2017/12/25/coleccion-calamares-gigantes-unica-mundo-queda-luarca/00031514228021671931439.htm La colección de calamares gigantes, única en el mundo, se queda en Luarca]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 26 December 2017. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Garcia2020 /><ref name=RTPA2018 /><ref>[https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/luis-laria-dona-valdes-coleccion-museo-calamar-gigante-luarca-20180719145318-nt.html Luis Laria no estará al frente del futuro Museo del Calamar Gigante de Luarca]. ''El Comercio'', 19 July 2018. {{in lang|es}}</ref> it was unclear which body would take over.<ref name=EP2018 /> In the intervening years the surviving museum specimens had been stored at CEPESMA's Parque de la Vida de Valdés (which opened in 2007 in La Mata, on the outskirts of Luarca<ref name=Pelaez2007a>Peláez, E. (2007). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2007/02/04/nuevo-reto-cepesma-21938156.html El nuevo reto de Cepesma]. ''La Nueva España'', 4 February 2007. {{in lang|es}}</ref>), some on public display as part of a {{convert|600|m2|sqft|adj=on}} exhibit that also included items related to [[Biology:Biology|biology]], [[Earth:Geology|geology]], and [[Astronomy:Astronomy|astronomy]].<ref name=Gayoso2016a /><ref name=GomezBolivar2015 /><ref name=RTPA2018 /><ref>Serrano, A.M. (2016). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2016/11/02/kraken-vuelta-valdes-19457046.html El "kraken", de vuelta en Valdés]. ''La Nueva España'', 2 November 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=infoasturies /> Luis Laria had put €23,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|23000|EUR|year=2016|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) of his own money into keeping three specimens at the park.<ref name=Muniz2016/> He had received numerous offers to buy the surviving giant squid specimens, with interest from scientific institutions, city councils, banks, and even public figures.<ref name=Garcia2020 /><ref name=Gayoso2016b /> Laria said he had turned them down as he wanted the specimens to remain in Valdés and was otherwise only willing to loan the specimens for a few years, which most potential buyers would not consider.<ref name=Garcia2020 /><ref name=where /><ref name=Gayoso2016b />

In March 2021, donated items including paintings, sculptures, books and various other objects were sold at the Caja Rural exhibition hall in Gijón to finance the recovery of CEPESMA's facilities, including those still holding the remaining giant squid specimens in anticipation of the museum's reopening later that year.<ref name=MC2021>"M. C." (2021). [https://www.lne.es/gijon/2021/03/16/donaciones-reflotar-instalaciones-cepesma-43217643.html Donaciones para reflotar las instalaciones del Cepesma]. ''La Nueva España'', 16 March 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Palacios2021>Palacios, L. (2021). [https://www.lne.es/gijon/2021/03/25/pintores-apoyan-cepesma-falta-respaldo-45833232.html Los pintores apoyan al Parque de la Vida: "Hace falta también respaldo público"]. ''La Nueva España'', 25 March 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The giant squid collection at Parque de la Vida featured in an episode of the La 2 television program ''{{ill|Rutas bizarras|es}}'' ("Bizarre routes") first broadcast on 13 April 2021.<ref>[https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/rutas-bizarras/calamar-gigante-pueblo-habitante/5834008/ El calamar gigante y el pueblo de un habitante]. [video] ''Rutas bizarras'', 13 April 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[https://www.elcomercio.es/culturas/tv/asturias-protagonista-manana-20210412140543-nt.html Asturias, protagonista este martes del programa 'Rutas bizarras' de TVE]. ''El Comercio'', 13 April 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===Relocation plans===
In July 2018 plans were unveiled for the museum to reopen in the premises of the local Fishermen's Guild (''Cofradía de Pescadores''), just to the rear of the original museum building, with a tentative completion date of summer 2020.<ref name=EP2018>[https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/nuevo-museo-calamar-gigante-luarca-2020-20180719143609-nt.html El nuevo Museo del Calamar de Luarca se abrirá en el verano de 2020]. ''El Comercio'', 19 July 2018. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=RTPA2018>[https://www.rtpa.es/noticias-asturias:-El-nuevo-Museo-del-Calamar-Gigante-de-L.luarca-podria-ser-una-realidad-en-2020_111532006083.html El nuevo Museo del Calamar Gigante de L.luarca podría ser una realidad en 2020]. ''Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias'', 19 July 2018. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Garcia2018 /> The new museum was to have 850 square metres of floorspace, with the project's budget exceeding €650,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|650000|EUR|year=2018|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) and €45,000 (US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|45000|EUR|year=2018|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) allocated for [[Finance:Government procurement|its tender]]; the bidding process was to commence in August.<ref name=EP2018 /><ref name=RTPA2018 /> As part of the plan, the fishermen's quarters would be relocated to the Almuña-Barcia industrial estate.<ref name=Garcia2018>García, G. (2018). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2018/07/20/museo-calamar-gigante-abrira-antigua-18875485.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante se abrirá en la antigua conservera de Luarca en 2020]. ''La Nueva España'', 20 July 2018. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Preliminary plans to relocate the museum to the fishermen's warehouses had already been in place in 2017, when Luis Laria donated his remaining giant squid specimens to Valdés municipal council.<ref name=LaVoz2017 />

Following prolonged inaction on the part of the local government, a group of around 250 people gathered in Luarca on 2 February 2019 to demand the construction of a new museum.<ref name=Gayoso2019>Gayoso, D. (2019). [https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2019/02/03/luis-laria-abandona-lucha-reconstruir-museo-calamar-gigante/0003_201902X3C5991.htm Luis Laria abandona la lucha para reconstruir el museo del calamar gigante]. ''La Voz de Galicia'', 3 February 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[https://www.lasportadas.es/d/20190203/123/La-Nueva-Espa%C3%B1a El Museo del Calamar Gigante de Luarca, cinco años "sin hacer nada"]. ''La Nueva España'', 3 February 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Luis Laria stated at the time: "the giant squid represent my past" ("''los calamares gigantes representan mi pasado''").<ref name=Gayoso2019 />

In December 2019 it was announced that the museum would instead be relocated to a building that previously housed Luarca's Goya Cinema (''Cine Goya''), at a cost of approximately €900,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|900000|EUR|year=2019|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=Arrunada2019>Arruñada, A. (2019). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/museo-calamar-gigante-20191212001447-ntvo.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante reabrirá en 2021 en el antiguo Cine Goya]. ''El Comercio'', 12 December 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Serrano2019>Serrano, A.M. (2019). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2019/12/12/museo-calamar-gigante-abrira-2021-20433616.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante abrirá en 2021 en el antiguo cine Goya de Luarca]. ''La Nueva España'', 12 December 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref> This move, which had been under consideration since at least July 2019,<ref name=SuarezFuente2019 /><ref>Cascudo, T. (2019). Valdés estudia realojar el Museo del Calamar en el edificio del cine Goya. ''La Nueva España'', 27 July 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref> was seen as far more economical, as it was estimated that the original plan—which called for the Fishermen's Guild to be converted into the new museum, new premises provided for the fishermen, and the former cinema separately converted into an auditorium—would have cost almost €3 million (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|3000000|EUR|year=2019|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=Arrunada2019 /> An opening in June 2020 was planned.<ref name=infoasturies /> The new location was criticised for lacking sufficient parking space and being far from the sea, and because the space was previously intended for a cultural centre and an auditorium for the local council.<ref name=Arrunada2019 /><ref name=infoasturies /><ref name=SuarezFuente2019>Suárez Fuente, D. (2019). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/ayuntamiento-valdes-propone-20190727000804-ntvo.html El Ayuntamiento de Valdés propone instalar el Museo del Calamar en el cine Goya]. ''El Comercio'', 27 July 2019. {{in lang|es}}</ref> After further delays and inaction, in February 2020 the association Más Luarca Valdés called for "a dignified, solid and definitive solution" ("''una solución digna, sólida y definitiva''") to the question of the museum's future.<ref name=Cascudo2020>Cascudo, T. (2020). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2020/02/21/seis-anos-destruccion-museo-calamar-20389478.html Seis años de la destrucción del Museo del Calamar Gigante]. ''La Nueva España'', 21 February 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="I don't want to know anything about what was in the museum because for me that museum has been a cursed museum. I'm going to put it like this. I dedicated my whole life and my best efforts so that afterwards it would come to nothing and the political organisation would deny the value of this facility."{{refn|group=nb|name=quote2|Original Spanish quotation: "''No quiero saber nada de lo que había en el museo porque para mí ese museo ha sido un museo maldito. Voy a decirlo así. Dediqué toda mi vida y mis máximos esfuerzos para que después se quedase en nada y que el organigrama político ningunease el valor de este equipamiento.''"<ref name=Garcia2020 />}}|source=—Luis Laria, museum founder, from an October 2020 interview with ''La Voz de Galicia''<ref name=Garcia2020 />}}

A third relocation proposal was put forward in September 2020, this time to Luarca's old Villa Blanca nightclub.<ref name=Serrano2020a>Serrano, A.M. (2020). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2020/09/27/museo-calamar-gigante-luarca-abrira-14287827.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante de Luarca abrirá en una antigua discoteca en julio]. ''La Nueva España'', 27 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Serrano2020b>Serrano, A.M. (2020). [https://www.farodevigo.es/sociedad/2020/09/28/calamares-gigantes-asturias-disco-14776757.html Los calamares gigantes de Asturias se van a la disco]. ''Faro de Vigo'', 28 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=infoasturies>[https://www.infoasturies.com/es/2020/09/28/la-apertura-del-museo-del-calamar-prevista-para-este-verano-se-pospone-al-uno-de-julio-de-2021/ La apertura del Museo del Calamar, prevista para este verano, se pospone al uno de julio de 2021]. ''InfoAsturies'', 28 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Suarez2020a>Suárez, R. (2020). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/obras-convertir-antigua-20201204001904-ntvo.html Las obras para convertir la antigua discoteca de Luarca en el Museo del Calamar comenzarán en enero]. ''El Comercio'', 4 December 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[https://www.luarcacf.com/category/luarca-news/ El Museo del Calamar Gigante en Luarca]. ''Eco de Luarca'', 20 January 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Work to adapt the nightclub—budgeted at €45,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|45000|EUR|year=2020|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})—was to begin in January 2021 and be completed by March, followed by the construction of museum exhibits, for which an additional €48,000 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|48000|EUR|year=2020|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) was allocated.<ref name=Suarez2020a /> The opening date was set for 1 July 2021, with the government paying monthly rent of €1500 (equivalent to US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|1500|EUR|year=2020<!--update to 2021 once available-->|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) plus VAT thereafter.<ref name=infoasturies /><ref name=Suarez2020a /><ref name=Serrano2020a /> The new museum is planned to be a "sensory experience" making use of light and sound effects.<ref name=Serrano2021a>Serrano, A.M. (2021). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2021/01/20/museo-calamar-gigante-reforzara-experiencia-29424210.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante reforzará la experiencia "sensorial" del visitante]. ''La Nueva España'', 20 January 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Tanks containing twelve cephalopod specimens were held in a municipal warehouse until work on the new museum was completed.<ref name=where>[https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2021/01/24/donde-calamares-gigantes-luarca/00031611519236070255190.htm ¿Dónde están los calamares gigantes de Luarca?] ''La Voz de Galicia'', 25 January 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Other marine animals were also planned to be exhibited, some of which had survived in their original preservative fluid inside the old museum building for the seven years since its destruction.<ref name=where />

The choice of the former nightclub met with strong local opposition from the commerce and hospitality sectors.<ref>Serrano, A.M. (2020). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2020/09/28/rechazo-unanime-luarca-exhiba-vieja-14287953.html Rechazo unánime a que Luarca exhiba en una vieja discoteca los calamares gigantes]. ''La Nueva España'', 28 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref> The venue was criticised by People's Party regional deputy Álvaro Queipo as being too small for its intended purpose, at only {{convert|290|m2|sqft}},<ref>[https://masluarcavaldes.com/2020/09/29/museo-del-calamar-gigante-sera-esta-la-ultima/ Museo del Calamar Gigante, ¿será esta la última?] ''Más Luarca Valdés'', 28 September 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref> and far from the port; Queipo commented that it "is not at the level of what this museum deserves, which has been an international jewel" ("''no está a la altura de lo que se merece este museo, que ha sido una joya de ámbito internacional''").<ref name=Queipo2020>[https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/asturias/2020/10/04/pp-acusa-gobierno-abandono-museo-calamar/00031601811195143573294.htm El PP acusa al Gobierno del abandono del Museo del Calamar]. ''La Voz de Asturias'', 4 October 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>[https://www.europapress.es/asturias/noticia-pp-critica-principado-abandonar-suerte-museo-calamar-luarca-20201004132535.html El PP critica al Principado por "abandonar a su suerte" al Museo del Calamar de Luarca]. ''Europa Press'', 4 October 2020. {{in lang|es}}</ref>

In March 2021, Valdés mayor Óscar Pérez stated that the giant squid museum was central to his strategy for revitalising the municipality's tourism industry.<ref name=Serrano2021b>Serrano, A.M. (2021). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2021/03/13/hay-pensar-valdes-diez-apostar-41648269.html “Hay que pensar en el Valdés de dentro de diez años, apostar por una industria turística”]. ''La Nueva España'', 13 March 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref name=Rodriguez2021>Rodríguez, E. (2021). [https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/asturias/2021/03/10/nuevos-proyectos-pueden-convertir-luarca-capital-turistica/00031615399372597381598.htm Los nuevos proyectos que pueden convertir a Luarca en una capital turística].''La Voz de Asturias'', 15 March 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Pérez opined that the size of the former nightclub was sufficient to meet the museum's requirements, adding: "Being in the urban core area, it will make potential customers pass in front of various businesses such as shops, restaurants… and, therefore, it will favor economic activity. The reopening of the museum will help to structure the interior of Luarca, which never had significant resources for a flow of people."{{refn|group=nb|name=quote3|Original Spanish quotation: "''Al estar en la zona del núcleo urbano va a hacer que los clientes potenciales pasen por delante de diversos negocios como pueden ser tiendas, restaurantes… y, por tanto, favorecerá la actividad económica. La reapertura del museo va a ayudar a vertebrar un poco el interior de Luarca, que nunca tuvo recursos importantes para que hubiese un flujo de personas.''"<ref name=Rodriguez2021 />}} At the time, the museum was still set to reopen on 1 July 2021.<ref name=Rodriguez2021 />

On 28 July 2021, it was reported that the planned reopening at the former nightclub had been pushed back to the end of 2021.<ref name=VegaFernandez2021>Vega, C. & S. Fernández (2021). [https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/occidente/principado-elaborara-2022-20210728000856-ntvo.html El Principado elaborará en 2022 un proyecto para reformar el antiguo Museo del Calamar]. ''El Comercio'', 28 July 2021. {{in lang|es}}</ref> It was also announced that in 2022 the Principality of Asturias would draw up plans for redeveloping the original harbourside building damaged in 2014.<ref name=VegaFernandez2021 />

==See also==
* [[Biology:Giant Squid Interpretation Site|Giant Squid Interpretation Site]] – small museum in Glovers Harbour, Newfoundland
* [[Biology:List of giant squid specimens and sightings|List of giant squid specimens and sightings]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{reflist|40em}}
<!--
<ref name=Serrano2016>Serrano, A.M. (2016). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2016/10/14/museo-calamar-gigante-reabrira-19470433.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante se reabrirá entre 2018 y 2020]. ''La Nueva España'', 14 October 2016. {{in lang|es}}</ref>
<ref name=Garcia2017>García, G. (2017). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2017/05/09/inician-obra-sede-ruinosa-museo-19324916.html Inician la obra en la sede ruinosa del Museo del Calamar Gigante]. ''La Nueva España'', 9 May 2017. {{in lang|es}}</ref>
<ref name=Serrano2017b>Serrano, A.M. (2017). [https://www.lne.es/occidente/2017/06/22/museo-calamar-gigante-deja-puerto-19286751.html El Museo del Calamar Gigante deja el puerto y se hará en Villar]. ''La Nueva España'', 22 June 2017. {{in lang|es}}</ref>
https://ort-ort.com/2019/07/el-equipo-de-gobierno-de-valdes-estudia-la-opcion-de-llevar-el-museo-del-calamar-gigante-al-cine-goya-de-luarca/
https://web.archive.org/web/20200720133604/http://www.cepesma.org/category/calamar-gigante/
http://planetdoc.tv/documental-calamar-gigante-architeuthis
https://www.mentideroliterario.es/2020/07/16/a-que-sabe-el-calamar-gigante/
https://www.mncn.csic.es/es/comunicacion/blog/el-calamar-gigante-sigue-siendo-una-criatura-rodeada-de-misterio
https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/calamar-gigante-sablon-20170830000735-ntvo.html
https://espanabizarra.tumblr.com/post/126929446096/antiguo-centro-calamar-gigante-luarca
-->

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180805001232/http://www.cepesma.org/galeria-de-fotos/centro-del-calamar-gigante/ Official photo gallery] (archived)
* [http://planetdoc.tv/documental-calamar-gigante-architeuthis Short documentary about CEPESMA's giant squid collection]<!--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXK7dFVc4tU-->
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h9PItbtdBM Slideshow overview of original museum]


[[Category:Giant squid]]

{{Sourceattribution|Centro del Calamar Gigante|1}}