EUREKA, Calif. (AP) - A northern California man obsessed with
finding a record-sized oyster appears to have done just that.

The Eureka Times-Standard reports that Richard Mesce found the 13-inch long, 6-inch wide mollusk in the muddy bottom of Humboldt Bay. It is estimated at 80 years old.

The retired pilot took the oyster to a Humboldt State University
oceanographer for an official measurement, a requirement of the
Guinness World Records' application.

The current record-holding oyster measures 12-inches long, and 5
½-inches wide.

Mesce became obsessed in 2006, when he happened upon a large
oyster in the area.

Paddling in his kayak, Mesce continued his search when the tide
was right.

If confirmed as the largest, Humboldt State University has
agreed to keep it in its aquarium, where it can continue to grow.

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