The European squid, Loligo vulgaris, is becoming an increasingly important UK commercial catch, but it has no protection from overfishing. A species more familiar in Mediterranean cooking, it is becoming a more valuable catch as the UK’s seas warm. The government is running a consultation on how to regulate the fishery, along with that of other newer warm-water species thriving in British waters, such as the red mullet and the gurnard.
Squid have large brains and can move at up to 20mph by firing a jet of water from inside their bodies to escape predators. They have six arms and two longer tentacles, the latter used to catch prey, mostly small fish and shrimps, but they eat almost anything, including each other when food supplies are short.
November is a peak season for breeding. Each female lays up to 600 eggs, along with many other squid forming huge rafts, presumably for safety in numbers. Hatching and development varies depending on water temperature, but squid grow at great speed and can breed after nine months. Until fairly recently it was believed they lived for up to four years, but now 15 months is accepted as maximum life expectancy. Taking measures to avoid overfishing will give them a chance to continue to thrive.
