Quote:Commercial trawling regulations for waters south of Cape Cod and the islands were

amended. The commercial squid season when small-mesh trawling is allowed, formerly ending

on May 31, was extended through June 9th. The summer-time allowance for the use of 4 1/2"

mesh during the June through October period in waters south of Cape Cod and the islands was

eliminated (322 CMR 6.22, 8.07, & 8.08).

Quote:1998 Squid trawler season lengthened an extra 2 weeks through June 14. Squid trawling (using small-mesh nets in Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, and state waters around the islands) was allowed through June 14. DMF granted this 2-week extension for draggermen who hoped catches would improve in early June after they experienced dismal catches throughout May when catches usually peak. Preliminary landings figures suggest 1998 will result in the lowest catches in 21 years from Nantucket and Vineyard Sound. DMF and fishermen had hoped the inshore migration of squid was delayed by weather or other oceanographic factors. Sea sampling and reports from dealers and fishermen showed squid size composition never shifted to predominately small squid, and by-catch of other species remained minimal.[/size]



DMF has taken strong steps to manage this fishery conservatively during the 1990's, including a shortened season, by-catch limits, and a contentious exclusion of large (larger than 72 ft.) trawlers. This past season was especially frustrating since DMF had planned with gear experts and cooperating draggermen to study fish and squid behavior in the trawls to improve bycatch reduction. The scarcity of squid and many finfish species has hindered this work's progress. This research may prove critical for the long term management and conservation of scup since fishery scientists have identified discards in the offshore small-mesh trawl fishery as a primary source of mortality that will prevent stock recovery. Squid are managed in federal waters by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Quote:Squid trawling with small mesh nets temporarily extended in 1997 through June 15. This was a 15-day extension of the fishery. Fishermen were allowed to continue to trawl for squid in waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth south of Cape Cod and around the islands. Sea sampling - as well as reports from dealers and fishermen -showed the squid size composition remained predominately large through the period. Cooler than normal temperatures likely delayed the normal succession where squid size shifts to predominately small squid

Quote:Massachusetts squid season was extended for trawlers one week in early June. Catches appeared up slightly from 1994 but still below average according to reports from weir fishermen and draggermen. Trawlers found squid in harvestable quantities during the second week of May with a surprising mix of both large and small squid in the catch from the outset. Fishing effort by large trawlers was reduced given DMF's new regulation prohibiting vessels over 72 ft from trawling in state waters. A legal challenge to the 72 ft. rule (request for preliminary injunction) was denied in Suffolk Superior Court.



Squid ageing research got a boost last month when Dr. William Macy of URI received a federal grant (S-K) to further examine squid size and age composition. Dr. Macy has already published a landmark study that altered squid management when he determined Loligo squid was an annual species capable of spawning year-round. Dr. Macy counted squid daily growth rings and concluded squid live less than 12 months - quite remarkable when you hold a large male squid whose mantle (tube) measures the length of your forearm. Previous estimates of Loligo squid life span ranged from 1.5 to 3 years. DMF's report on the Nantucket Sound squid fishery (copies still available..) recommended further ageing studies to determine the relative importance of summer inshore vs. winter offshore spawning.



Finally, DMF's Resource Assessment Project recently published "Evaluating the Effects of Two Coastal Mobile Gear Fishing Closures on Finfish Abundance off Cape Cod", published by the American Fisheries Society in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. The study focused on the local squid trawl fishery's effects on local fish abundance to answer local anglers petition to restrict trawling back in 1993.