SECTION 21 

 Shortfin squid {lllex illecebfosus) 



Life History Summary 



The shortfin squid is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland 

 and Labrador southward to Florida with the center of abundance in the 

 Newfoundland area, though they are moderately abundant as far south as New 

 Jersey (Wigley 1982). On the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean, these squid 

 are found from Scandinavia to southwestern England and westward to Iceland. 

 In winter, Til ex are found over the entire shelf from near coastal waters to 

 the edge of the shelf; in late fall (November and December), shortfin squid 

 migrate offshore. 



While there is no recreational fishery, there are both domestic and 

 foreign commercial fisheries for ill ex. From 1975-1981 domestic commercial 

 fishermen have landed only 1,100 metric tons (MT) per year, while foreign 

 fishermen have averaged approximately 20,000 MT per year. However, with 

 increasing regulation of joint venture operations with foreign fishermen, U.S. 

 catches rose to 5,900 MT in 1982 and 9,950 MT in 1983, while foreign catches 

 fell to 12,350 MT and 1,780 MT in 1982 and 1983, respectively (Lange, personal 

 communication ) . 



The life span of III ex is approximately 1 year, with some living as long 

 as 2 years (Tibbetts 1977). Mesnil (1977) proposed a ltygyear life cycle. 

 There are apparently two spawning seasons each year, one during January and 

 February, and the other in July and August. Shortfin squid that hatch in 

 January or February spawn 1 V2 years later, during the summer spawning 

 season. Those that hatch during the summer, spawn 1 V2 years later during the 

 winter. They are believed to die shortly after spawning, as has been observed 



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