Shortfinned squid

Illex illecebrosus

Squid is a mollusc and a traditional fishery species in the Northwest Atlantic. NAFO manages squid in Subareas 3 and 4.

*The following information is a stock assessment provided by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization:

Fishery Status 2009:Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 34,000 metric tons in Subareas 3 and 4.

Recent Assessments (2006): concluded the northern shortfin squid resource in Subareas 3+4 remained below the 1982-2004 average for the low productivity period.

Recommendation:  Based on available information the Council advised that the TAC for years 2007 and 2008 for northern shortfin squid in Subareas 3 and 4 be set between 19,000 and 34,000 metric tons. The advised TAC range (19,000-34,000 metric tons) is applicable only during periods of low productivity. In periods of high productivity, higher catches and TAC levels are appropriate.

Comments: Scientific Council noted that northern shortfin squid in Subareas 3-6 (and further south to Florida) are considered to comprise a unit stock and that the current assessment only applies to part of the area. The 2006 assessment applies to the period 2007-2008. The next assessment of this stock will be released in 2009.