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Squid Fishery
- Pacific Region
Overview of the Fishery
Opal squid (Loligo opalescens)
are largely taken by seine. Hook and line and side catcher or
frame nets are also used, but to a lesser extent. A category
"Z-E" squid licence is required to participate in
this fishery. Squid landed in British Columbia are mainly used
as bait in the crab, sablefish and halibut
fisheries. There is interest in marketing squid as a food product
in B.C., but the large California squid fishery produces a low
priced food product, making it difficult for B.C. squid fishers
to compete in this market.
The opal squid fishery is an unlimited entry
fishery and as such the number of licences issued annually is not controlled. While
participation in the fishery is currently small the potential for expansion is of concern
to the Department. There is no information about bycatch from this fishery, although this
is known to occur, nor are there descriptions of practices which fishers may use to reduce
bycatch. In the past a combination of insufficient information, unlimited entry and
concerns for bycatch, discards and habitat impacts has led to suspension of fishing
opportunities in other fisheries. An experimental fishery for neon flying squid was the
subject of a federal-provincial agreement and was inaugurated in 1996.
Opal Squid Contact: Jim Morrison
Shellfish Biologist
3225 Stephenson Point Road
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 1K3
(250) 756-7233
Neon Flying Squid Contact: Bill Shaw
Management Biologist
3225 Stephenson Point Road
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 1K3
(250) 756-7152
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