Squid
European Squid. Image courtesy of Seafish Public Media Library
European Squid - Scientific name - Loligo vulgaris
Conservation status
There are many conservation concerns around European Squid which is succinctly summed up by the MCS : ‘Most squid from UK seas are Fish to Avoid and only 1, Cornish Squid, is rated as OK - Needs Improvement’.
The IUCN haven’t rated European Squid on their Red List as they don’t have the data required. Squid is caught in a number of ways and management is poor. They state: ‘Better stock and harvest monitoring are required to collate better data and ensure sustainable harvesting ‘
Amongst the concerns from experts are lack of management, vulnerability to over fishing, bycatch concerns, and the fishing methods used. Squid has high commercial value and is an attractive catch for fishermen. Line fishing (Jig fishing) is small scale, whilst bottom trawling can be very impactful for fish stocks and the environment.
Overview
European Squid is found all around our coasts down to about 500m deep. They have a long slender body, 8 arms on the head and 2 fins at the opposite end to the head and arms. They are pale white in colour with reddish-brown mottling on their back. Common Squid have 2 long tentacles which are used to catch their prey which are small fish, crabs and shrimp.
European Squid range from 15 to 40cms in length and typically live to about 1 year, though females can live to 2 years and males 3 years. There are more than 300 species of Squid globally and they range in size from over 40 feet (the Giant Squid) to less than half an inch (the Benthic Pygmy Squid).
Squid are carnivorous and primarily eat fish and crustaceans. They are prey to fish, sharks, marine mammals like dolphins and seals, and even other Squid.
The word ‘calamari’ isn’t the name of a specific dish or preparation of squid, but it actually comes from the Italian word for Squid (calamari)!
Sources
Marine Conservation Society - https://www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide/ratings/wild-capture/615/
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/190946/1961958
Wildlife Trust - https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/squids-octopuses-and-cuttlefish/common-squid
Cornwall Good Seafood Guide - https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/squid-european.php
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_squid