These video sequences of the market squid, Loligo opalescens, were taken from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Market squid have been the basis of an important commercial fishery in California since the 1850's. The fishery takes place in northern California during the spring-fall and in southern California during the winter months. Most squid are caught using lights to attract aggregations to the surface where they are netted with brails, lamparas and purse seines.
Learn More...
Market Squid I: Aggregation
(NOTE:This video does not contain audio)
Quicktime(206 KB) l Windows Media (Streaming)
California market squid gather in large numbers in order to find a mate.
|
Market Squid II: Spawning
(NOTE:This video does not contain audio)
Quicktime(2.89 MB) l Windows Media (Streaming)
Males flush red with success as they spawn with females.
|
Market Squid III: Depositing Eggs
(NOTE:This video does not contain audio)
Quicktime(1.29 MB) l Windows Media (Streaming)
Female squid lay an egg case containing hundreds of eggs. They anchor the egg case in the sand where the eggs will develop.
|
Market Squid IV: Bat Ray Feeding on Market Squid
(NOTE:This video does not contain audio)
Quicktime(6.52 KB) l Windows Media (Streaming)
A bat ray swoops in to feed on the distracted squid.
|
Market Squid V: Producing an Egg Capsule
(NOTE:This video does not contain audio)
Quicktime(49.3 MB) l Windows Media (Streaming)
The female in the foreground is slowly producing an egg capsule. You can see the capsule growing out between her tentacles. She will deposit it in or close to the other egg capsules that have already been deposited by other squid.
|