Oceanic squid resources of the EEZ of India

Abstract

Surveys made by FORV Sagar Sampada using pelagic trawl specifically for oceanic squids in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bcngal have revealed the occurrence of the squid Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis (Lesson) at many stations with depths over 1000m. About 95% of the squids were taken in night hauls, which indicates that this species has the habit of nocturnal vertical migration towards surface. There was great variation in size, from 20 mm dorsal mantle length to the largest squid of 472 mm weighing over 4.5 kg. Most of the squids were immature and of small size, with unequal sc8x ratio. Mature squids wcre almost cqual in number. This species feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans