Loligo Squid Fishery in Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds;Technical rept

摘要

In response to a request from the Massachusetts Legislature in July of 1993, a study of the Loligo squid fishery in Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds was conducted. The fishery consists of trawlers and weirs accounting for nearly all squid landings from the sounds with about one-quarter of the landings attributable to weirs. The squid fishery draws considerable attention when it begins close to the beach in late April since it is characterized by a fleet of trawlers up to 90 feet in length (vessel size limit), towing along the beach beginning during the early morning hours. Study objectives were to evaluate changes and trends in the fishery from 1978-1993 with emphasis on the trawl fishery$ determine the effect of the inshore squid trawl fishery on other fisheries resources in state waters$ document the manner in which squid fisheries in Massachusetts waters have been managed$ and evaluate the effect of offshore fisheries on squid and other fisheries resources in Massachusetts waters.