Publication Date:
2020-11-16
Description:
The abundance indices for 21 cruises of fish prospection performed on the contintental slope and shelf of Galicia (30-500 m depth) between 1973 and 1991 showed that Illex coindetii appeared in this zone, in significant valure, from 1984 onwards, its abundance experiencing a maximum in 1987. The reasons for this phenomenon and its relationship with the abundance of Todaropsis eblanae are discussed. This artcile describes the exploitation of Illex coindetii and Todaropsis eblanae, caught and marketed together, between 1980 and 1991. Both species are taken as by-catch in the trawler fishery targetting hake, blue whiting, horse mackerel and Norway lobster in the Iberian Atlantic. In Galicia, the annual catch during this period varied between 490 and 2352 tonnes, experiencing important monthly and interannual flucturations, with the highest unloading indices being recorded in spring and autumn. The origin of these variations is discussed. Catch of both species off the Galician coast represented 26% in weight and 14% in economic value with regard to total cephalopod catch between 1980 and 1991, whereas taking Spain as a whole, both species represented 10% in weight and 4% in economic value of the total for cephalopods. The short-finned squid (ommastrephids) fishery in Galicia does not appear to be experiencing overfishing. Measures are proposed to improve knowledge of this resource and its yield.
Type:
Article
,
PeerReviewed
Format:
text
