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Squid, Longfin

(U.S. Atlantic, Trawl)

Rating:
Longfin squid populations are considered healthy and abundant, making this species a "Best Choice." The overall condition of shortfin squid populations is not known, making them a "Good Alternative."

Market Names:
Common Squid, Boned Squid

Consumer Notes:
Longfin squid are available fresh and frozen year-round. Shortfin squid are also available frozen most of the year, but are only available fresh in the summer and fall.

Summary:
Like other cephalopods, longfin and shortfin squid are fast-growing and reproduce at an early age - traits that can help them withstand heavy fishing. Longfin populations are considered abundant, while the size of shortfin populations is not known.

Most longfin and shortfin squid are caught with trawls, a gear type that typically catches other unwanted species, known as bycatch. Trawls can also cause damage to seafloor habitats, although the damage is minimal to the sandy bottom habitats where most fishing for longfin and shortfin squid occurs.

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