Market Squid

Market squid are found extensively along the West Coast from southeastern Alaska to Mexico. Historically, populations were concentrated in California, from Monterey Bay south to the Los Angeles area, but have expanded north to Oregon and Washington. They are found in the open ocean, between surface waters and depths of 2,600 feet. Market squid has eight arms and two tentacles and are a relative of octopus and cuttlefish. Adults may grow up to a foot in length, but typically are smaller. Market squid are short-lived, surviving less a year and dying shortly after reproducing. They reproduce by forming large aggregations near sandy-bottom habitats, where females build mounds of sand to deposit their fertilized eggs cases, which hatch within days. Market squid consume small crustaceans and fish, and are an important food source for salmon, rockfish, seabirds and marine mammals. 

Overall availability

Market squid is fished in California and Oregon. It is available year-round in California and primarily in spring and late summer in Oregon. Market squid is sold whole fresh and frozen, with processed products (e.g., tubes and tentacles) available frozen.

Management

Market squid is commercially primarily fished using purse seine, lampara net and dip net gear. It is managed federally by the Pacific Fishery Management Council under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan, in collaboration with NOAA Fisheries and each state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CA, OR).