Longfin Squid

Longfin Squid

Doryteuthis (Amerigo) pealeii

Also Known As
Longfin inshore squid, Loligo, Winter squid, Boston squid

Quick Facts

Region
New England/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast
Image of a longfin squid

Longfin squid. Photo: National Undersea Research Center – University of Connecticut.

Longfin squid. Photo: National Undersea Research Center – University of Connecticut.

About The Species

U.S. wild-caught longfin squid is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Population Status Icon

Population Level

Above target population levels.

Fishing Status Icon

Fishing Status

Harvest quotas are trimester-based to ensure that it is fished at the recommended level.

Habitat Impacts Icon

Habitat Impacts

Fishing gears used to harvest longfin squid have minimal impacts on habitat.

Bycatch Icon

Bycatch

Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

Status

  • The species has a lifespan of less than one year. According to the 2017 stock assessment, longfin squid are not overfished. There is currently not enough information to determine whether the stock is subject to overfishing.

Appearance

  • Longfin squid have an internal shell called a “pen.”
  • Their fins are long, at least half the length of the mantle (large part of the squid in front of the head).
  • The head has large eyes that are covered by a cornea.
  • They are pink or orange and mottled with brown or purple.
  • They are likely color blind, but are able to use special pigment cells in their skin (called chromatophores) to change their color and patterns to escape predators or disguise themselves from prey.  

Biology

  • Longfin squid grow fast, up to 1.6 feet mantle length (large part of the squid in front of the head), but usually less than 1 foot.
  • They have a short life span, reproducing right before they die at around six to eight months old.
  • Their growth and development is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Squid hatched in the summer grow faster than those hatched in the winter. 
  • They spawn year-round, with peak production in winter and summer. The male cements bundles of spermatophores into the mantle cavity of the female and/or deposits them in a pouch located near her mouth. The spermatophores penetrate the ova, or sperm is stored for later use. 
  • The female lays fertilized egg capsules that contain about 150 to 200 eggs each in clusters attached to the ocean bottom, with a typical female laying a total of 3,000 to 6,000 eggs. Eggs hatch between 11 and 26 days later, depending on water temperature.
  • Small immature longfin squid feed on plankton, and larger squid feed on crustaceans and small fish.
  • They are aggressive hunters, can consume fish larger than themselves, and do eat their own species.
  • They are a key prey species for a variety of marine mammals, diving birds, and finfish species. 

Where They Live

  • Longfin squid are found from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Venezuela.
  • In the northwest Atlantic Ocean, longfin squid are most abundant between Georges Bank and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Management

  • NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the longfin squid fishery.
  • Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
    • Fishermen with a limited access permit can fish for unlimited amounts of longfin squid while the fishery is open. All other fishermen must obtain an incidental catch permit, and have possession limits.
    • An annual coastwide catch quota is divided into trimester allocations. Managers monitor annual quotas closely, as there can be large fluctuations in abundance from year to year.
    • Managers set a cap on the amount of butterfish that can be incidentally caught in the longfin squid fishery to help prevent overfishing on the butterfish stock.

Recreational Fishing Regulations

Possession Limits:

There are no recreational possession limits or fish size requirements in Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries as long as the vessel carries an SMB2 Charter Party Permit. 

Fish Size Limits:

Minimum Fish Size: None

Maximum Fish Size: None

Charter/Party and Recreational Reporting

Catch Reporting and Vessel Trip Reports

If the owner of a party or charter boat is issued only a charter/party permit, and is carrying passengers for hire, then they must complete a VTR for each trip on which they land any fish.

Interactive Voice Response System Requirements

The Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries do not have any IVR requirements. However, if you are participating in a research program such as research set-aside (RSA) or fishing with an exempted fishing permit (EFP), there are IVR requirements. Please refer to your RSA or EFP paperwork for instruction on using IVR.

Marine Recreational Information Program

The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is a system of coordinated voluntary data collection programs designed to estimate recreational catch and effort.

Commercial Fishing Regulations

Current Specifications

Specifications are reviewed annually and are adjusted as new information becomes available. 

2019 Longfin Squid Specifications in metric tons (mt)
OFL Unknown
ABC 23,400
IOY 22,932
DAH/DAP 22,932
2019 Longfin squid Quota Trimester Allocations

Trimester

Percent

Allocation (mt)
I (Jan-Apr) 43 9,861
II (May-Aug) 17 3,898
III (Sep-Dec) 40

9,173
2019 Trimester Allocation of Butterfish Mortality Cap in Longfin Squid

Trimester

Percent

Allocation (mt)
I (Jan-Apr) 43 1,670
II (May-Aug) 17 660
III (Sep-Dec) 40 1,554
Total 100

3,884

 

Trip Limits

Permit Category

Illex Squid

Longfin Squid

Butterfish
SMB 3 Squid/Butterfish Incidental 10,000 lb 250 lb 600 lb
SMB 1A Longfin Moratorium - Unlimited -
SMB 1B Longfin Moratorium - 5,000 lb -
SMB 1C Longfin Moratorium - 2,500 lb -

 

Fish Size Limits

Minimum fish size: Not applicable

Maximum fish size: Not applicable

Accountability Measures

Are there in-season adjustments (changes mid-fishing year) in this fishery?  Yes. The quota allocated between trimesters for longfin squid and the butterfish catch cap can be reallocated in the following manner:

  • Trimester I underages:  If there is an underharvest in Trimester I of 25 percent or more, then the amount of the underharvest will be reallocated to Trimester II and Trimester III. The Trimester II quota may be increased by a maximum of 50 percent, so any remaining portion of the underage will be reallocated to Trimester III. Any underages for Trimester I that are less than 25 percent of the Trimester I quota will be applied to Trimester III of the same year.

  • Trimester I overages:  Any overages of commercial quota for Trimesters I and II will be subtracted from Trimester III of the same year.

Additionally, if any of the trimester or annual quotas are projected to harvest a certain portion of the quota, the directed fishery will be closed.  See the summary of closure thresholds in the table below. Fishery closures will be published in the Federal Register, and announced via USCG and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

 

Longfin Squid

90% in Trimesters I and II; 95% after April 15 and August 15

2,500 lb per trip

Longfin Squid

95% in Trimester III

2,500 lb per trip

Butterfish Mortality Cap*

95% in each Trimester

2,500 lb of longfin squid per trip

*Vessels using jigging gear to target longfin squid when the directed fishery is closed due to the butterfish mortality cap will not be subject to the reduced possession limit and will be allowed to possess more than 2,500 lb of longfin squid, provided that all trawl gear is properly stowed. 

Reporting a Commercial Catch

Catch Reporting

Catch Reporting and Vessel Trip Reports (VTR):  Owner/operators participating in the Longfin squid must submit trip reports weekly. Reports must be postmarked or received by midnight of the Tuesday following the reporting week (Sunday through Saturday). If a trip starts in one week, and offloads in the next, it should be reported in the week the catch was offloaded.

VMS Requirements: The owner or operator of a vessel issued a longfin squid moratorium permit must report catch (retained and discarded) of longfin squid daily via VMS. Reports are required even if longfin squid caught that day have not yet been landed

Commercial Gear Information

Minimum Mesh Sizes

Trimester Minimum Mesh Size
Trimester I 2 1/8 inches (54 mm)
Trimester II 1 7/8 inches (48 mm)
Trimester III 2 1/8 inches (54 mm)
Net strengtheners must be  5 inches or greater square or diamond mesh

More Information

Management Overview

How is the fishery managed? 

The mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries are each managed by annual quotas, accountability measures, and posession limits by permits. 

What is the fishing year for this fishery? 

January 1 – December 31

What are the different management areas for the mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries?   

The management unit for these species is the Atlantic Coast, but these species are predominately prosecuted from Maine to North Carolina.

Management Plans

Mackerel, squid, and butterfish are managed in federal waters under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Management Plan by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries.

Regulatory History

1978: Atlantic Mackerel FMP established management of Atlantic mackerel fishery

1978: Atlantic Butterfish FMP established management of Atlantic butterfish fishery

1978: Squid FMP established management of squid fisheries

1979: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery

1979: Squid Amendment 1 continued management of the squid fishery

1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery

1980: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery.

1983: Merged FMP consolidated management of Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries under a single FMP.

1984: Amendment 1 implemented squid OY adjustment mechanism and revised the Atlantic mackerel mortality rate.

1986: Amendment 2 revised squid bycatch TALFF allowances, implemented framework adjustment process, converted expiration of fishing permits from indefinite to annual, and equated fishing year with calendar year.

1991: Amendment 3 established overfishing definitions for all four species.

1991: Amendment 4 limited the activity of directed foreign fishing and joint venture transfers to foreign vessels and allowed for specification of OY for Atlantic mackerel for up to three years.

1996: Amendment 5 adjusted Loligo MSY; eliminated directed foreign fisheries for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; instituted a dealer and vessel reporting system; instituted an operator permitting system; implemented a limited access system for Loligo, Illex and butterfish; and expanded the management unit to include all Atlantic mackerel, Loligo, Illex, and butterfish under U.S. jurisdiction.

1997: Amendment 6 revised the overfishing definitions for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; established directed fishery closure at 95% of DAH forLoligo, Illex and butterfish with post-closure trip limits for each species; and established a mechanism for seasonal management of theIllex fishery to improve the yield-per recruit.

1997: Amendment 7 established consistency among FMPs in the NE region of the U.S. relative to vessel permitting, replacement and upgrade criteria.

1998: Amendment 8 brought the FMP into compliance with new and revised National Standards and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. This action also added a framework adjustment procedure.

2001: Framework 1 created a quota set-aside for the purpose of conducting scientific research

2002: Framework 2 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year; established that previous year specifications apply when specifications for the management unit are not published prior to the start of the fishing year (excluding TALFF specifications); and allowed for the specification of management measures for Loligo for a period of up to three years.

2003: Framework 3 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year.

2004: Framework 4 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional five years

2007: Amendment 12 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology.

2008: Amendment 9 allowed for multi-year specifications for all four managed species (mackerel, butterfish, Illex, and Loligo) for up to 3 years; extended the moratorium on entry into the Illex fishery, without a sunset provision; adopted biological reference points for Loligo recommended by the stock assessment review committee (SARC); designated EFH for Loligo eggs based on available information; and prohibited bottom trawling by MSB-permitted vessels in Lydonia and Oceanographer Canyons.

2010: Amendment 10 implemented a butterfish rebuilding program, increased the Loligo minimum mesh in Trimesters 1 and 3, and implemented a 72-hour trip notification requirement for the Loligo fishery.

2010: Amendment 13 implemented Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), and Accountability Measures (AMs).

2011: Amendment 11 implemented Limited Access in the Atl. mackerel fishery, updated EFH for all MSB species, and established a recreational-commercial allocation.

2012: Framework 5 broadened the scope of individuals who can perform hold measurements for limited access mackerel vessels

2012: Framework 6 clarified the Council's risk policy and describes the limited circumstances under which acceptable biological catch (ABC) can be increased for stocks without status determination criteria on overfishing.

2013: Framework 7 converted the butterfish mortality cap from a catch cap to a discard cap

2014: Amendment 14 implemented a variety of reporting and monitoring requirements for Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid fisheries, and implemented a river herring and shad catch cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery (Appendices). Final Rule.

2013: Amendment 17 modified accountability measures for the Council's recreational fisheries, including Atlantic mackerel. Final Rule.

2014: Framework 8 implemented changes to improve operation of the butterfish discard cap in the longfin squid fishery and the directed butterfish fishery. Final Rule.

2015: Amendment 15 implemented Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology. Final Rule.

2015: Amendment 19 eliminated the requirement for vessel owners to submit "did not fish" reports for the months or weeks when their vessel was not fishing. This action also removed some of the restrictions for upgrading vessels listed on Federal fishing permits. Final Rule.

2015: Framework 9 established measures to enhance catch monitoring and address slippage (catch that is discarded before it has been sampled by observers) in the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

2016: Amendment 16 - Deep Sea Corals Amendment established management measures to protect deep sea corals from the impacts of commercial fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic region. Final Rule.

2017: Amendment 18 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Final Rule.

2017: Framework 10 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire.

2018: Framework 11 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) limits for Council-managed fisheries; clarified that the Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMPs will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule.

2018: Amendment 20 - Squid Amendment reduced latent directed permits, created limited access incidental permits, and lowered Trimester 2 post-closure trip limit to 250 pounds to discourage directed fishing after closures. Final Rule.

2018: Framework 12 - Atlantic Mackerel Closure Provisions Framework allow the possession of 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year. Final Rule.

Data & Maps

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