by Travis Tanaka, DFG Marine Biologist

   Many California anglers have been catching something that resembles a sea monster but is actually great table fare:  the jumbo squid, often incorrectly referred to as the "giant" squid.  Anglers from San Diego to Eureka have caught these large brown "squirts".

   Harvest of these unique animals off California is uncommon, but in some years, they can be present throughout state ocean waters.

   The natural range of jumbo squid, also known as the Humboldt squid, stretches from Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of South America, to Southern California, primarily in the mid-to-eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean.  The bulk of the population appears to reside off Central America.  During extreme warm water years they have been sighted as far north as the Gulf of Alaska.  Their estimated depth range is from the surface to over 1,600 feet.

   This is a large, fast-growing, predatory species.  Its maximum reported total length is 13 feet (including the tentacles) with an estimated lifespan of 1 to 2 years.  With such a rapid growth rate, its metabolism is extremely fast.  Jumbo squid are constantly in search of food.  They will eat crustaceans, sardines, mackerel, other fishes, and even each other.

   Due to their large size, other animals such as toothed whales and large tunas readily feed upon jumbo squid.  The stomachs of large dolphins and some whales have been found to contain jumbo squid beaks.  The San Diego long-range sport fishing fleet often uses whole jumbo squid to entice yellowfin tuna, which can weigh over 200 pounds.

   The big question that everyone asks is "Why are they here?"  There are no definitive answers; the squid's appearance may be connected to an influx of warm ocean waters.  Currently off the Monterey coast, the sea surface temperature is about two degrees above normal for this time of year.

   Jumbo squid are being caught with regularity by sport anglers up and down the coast this year.  Anglers fishing the local banks and high spots near San Diego and the Cordell Bank near Bodega Bay are hooking jumbo squid on every trip.

   Boats from Monterey are targeting the Monterey and Carmel submarine canyons, where warm water meets cool, nutrient-laden upwelled water.  Jumbo squid seek out food sources trapped between these two water masses, as do many other predators.

   With many of California's recreational fisheries currently closed, the appearance of jumbo squid is a welcome surprise.  Sport landings from San Diego to Bodega Bay have been scheduling numerous trips every week, and most meet with great fishing success.  Anglers have been averaging five to 15 squid per person.

   Many private boaters are getting their share as well.  Keep in mind that it takes a tremendous amount of work to capture one of these squid:  most are caught at depths of 500 to 600 feet or more.  Sometimes dropping a jig down to 1,000 feet may be required.

   According to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 29.70, there is no season or bag limit on these squid.  However, the Department of Fish and Game encourages wise and conservative harvest.  It is a violation to waste any fish, invertebrate or mollusk taken from the waters of the State.  Take what you can use, and leave some for your next outing.
 

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DFG Answers the Age-old Question:  Is It Edible?

   If taken care of on the boat and cleaned well at the dock, jumbo squid are great table fare.  After removing the viscera, use a knife to remove the yellow inner membrane on the mantle.  The angler must also peel off the thick outer membrane as well.  Some people pound their squid steaks to tenderize them, and soak them in milk or a treatment of their choice to remove some of the uric acid and other metabolites that can occur in the flesh.  Pat dry and cook as desired.

For more information on jumbo squid, check out:

Octopus News Magazine online,
 www.tonmo.com

National Geographic Magazine online,
www.nationalgeograhic.com  (keywords: jumbo squid)