Publication Date:
2020-07-14
Description:
Part of the spawning area of the squid, Loligo vulgaris reynaudii, was investigated over a 5-week period using a combination of hydroacoustic techniques, SCUBA dive transects and observations. Egg mass concentrations were identified by a Furuno FCY-663 echosounder, and these were positively confirmed by SCUBA diving. It was found that egg strands were concentrated into distinct, clumped spawning beds which were non-randomly distributed in the study area. Bottom substrata favored by spawning squid appeared to be sandy areas or low profile rocky reefs. The average number of eggs per strand was 148 (±37). This study examines different techniques to estimate numbers of squid eggs in the wild, which may have wider application. Two statistical techniques were used in an exploratory data analysis to estimate the total number of eggs present in the study area, using both random and non-random transect methods. A non-random technique of estimation on clearly defined egg bed areas was found to be the most appropriate, although egg number estimates to date are considered preliminary.
Type:
Article
,
PeerReviewed
Format:
text
Permalink
