228 



Fishery Bulletin 94(2), 1996 



tem whereas the estimated growth curve for pooled- 

 sex samples in this study indicated a growth rate of 

 1.4%. While the lower growth rates of wild squid were 

 likely due to the better growth conditions experienced 

 by the cultured squid, it should be noted that the 

 largest squid in this study, a 44-cm male, was only 

 2.5 cm smaller than the largest reported L. pealei 5 

 ( Summers, 1968 ). The fact that this 9-month-old male 

 could have achieved the maximum reported size if it 



5 Based on a total of 55,616 length-frequency measurements, the 

 maximum size of L. pealei taken in the domestic commercial 

 fishery during 1972-91 was 45 cm (Northeast Fisheries Sci- 

 ence Center, Woods Hole, MA, unpubl. data l. 



grew for one more month at average male growth 

 rate suggested that it was unlikely that the lifespan 

 of L. pealei exceeded 1 year. 



Although a comprehensive growth model for squid 

 has not yet been determined (Jackson, 1994a), we 

 suggest that the Schnute model is a viable choice 

 given its flexibility. In addition, we recommend the 

 methods used to select the best form of the growth 

 model because they provide an objective basis for 

 evaluating alternative forms. Even though there was 

 substantial heterogeneity in L. pealei size at age, the 

 estimated growth curves for pooled sexes indicated 

 thatL. pealei growth in length and weight was effec- 



