Author Description

The aim of this volume is to gather and synthesise the research conducted on the biology (early life history stages, age and growth, maturation and fecundity), ecology (distribution, migrations, diet, predators and parasites) and fisheries (fishing areas, methods, landings, management and stock assessment) of the most economically important myopsid squids. This cephalopod group is typically associated with the seabed of the inshore coastal zone, usually resting or feeding to the bottom during day, and moving upwards during night-time. The use of substratum for the attachment of the spawned egg masses is a key aspect of the myopsid's biology. The spawning behaviour is complex, and females commonly mate with multiple males over short time periods. The squid aggregations are targeted by a commercial handline jig fishery or caught as a by-catch of the commercial inshore demersal trawl fishery. Managing and forecasting myopsid fisheries in highly variable coastal environments constitutes a particular challenge because recruitment processes are mostly driven by the environment.