Distribution and abundance of the squid Moroteuthis ingens (Cephalopoda: Onychoteuthidae) in the Falkland Islands region of the South Atlantic

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Jackson, George D., George, Magnus J. A., Buxton, Nicole G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 1998
• Subjects: Polar Biology
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/52542/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/52542/1/3378.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000050292

The distribution and abundance of the onychoteuthid squid Moroteuthis ingens were assessed for the Patagonian Shelf in the Falkland Islands region. Catch records from the commercial fishery and a research cruise were recorded from 1988 to 1996. Sampling included benthic, pelagic and semi-pelagic trawls and jigging. Moroteuthis ingens was recorded from 1,414 stations out of a total of 9,060 stations with 79.9% of all positive stations being from benthic trawls. Catch size ranged up to approximately 3,000 kg. The length frequency analysis and maturity indices suggested a major recruitment onto the shelf in September with a movement off the shelf during winter. There appears to be a lack of mature females on the Patagonian Shelf, indicating that females migrate into deeper offshore water to spawn. Observations of predation on Moroteuthis ingens on the Patagonian Shelf, along with a literature review, revealed that at least 4 mammal, 17 bird and 13 fish species prey on this squid.