24-01-2007, 02:53 AM
2003 was indeed a good year for squid in the Moray Firth (I am not sure about 2004) however 2005 was another bumper year with boats finding squid close inshore in massive amounts. It is worth noting at this time that the squid caught by these vessels is only about 5-10cm long. As far as I am aware the fishery last year failed to materialise in anything like the abundqnce of previous years.
Similar catch rates of squid (of the same size) have been witnessed around Lundy Island in the SW of England in the past but intensive fishing effort from UK and French trawlers may be responsible for the collapse of this fishery approximately 7 years ago. A resurgence of squid in 2005 saw a return to increased trawling effort and in 2006 the squid again failed to materialise.
I leave you to draw your own conclusions
Jon
Similar catch rates of squid (of the same size) have been witnessed around Lundy Island in the SW of England in the past but intensive fishing effort from UK and French trawlers may be responsible for the collapse of this fishery approximately 7 years ago. A resurgence of squid in 2005 saw a return to increased trawling effort and in 2006 the squid again failed to materialise.
I leave you to draw your own conclusions
Jon