Using Citizen Science to Improve Our Understanding of Northern Shortfin Squid (Illex illecebrosus) and Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) Ecology and Fisheries off Atlantic Canada

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) and longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) are fished commercially and recreationally off Atlantic Canada, but limited reporting, particularly from recreational fisheries, has left major gaps in our understanding of their ecology and fishery dynamics. Our research used three years of data collected through citizen science initiatives, field visits, and commercial index harvesters to provide much-needed descriptions of squid fisheries and basic ecological characteristics, with a particular focus on Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). We documented active recreational squid fisheries landing both species, including the first confirmed observations of longfin inshore squid in the NL fishery. Distinct regional patterns emerged. North Coast Region fishers tended to use different gear and practices, achieved higher catch-per-unit effort (CPUE), and caught larger squid compared to other NL regions. South Coast Region fishers more frequently caught longfin inshore squid, and although relatively low CPUE was reported, this region tended to have a more active recreational fishery. Our findings reveal previously unrecognized regional variation in squid fisheries and highlight the need for improved understanding of squid ecology and the impacts of the recreational and commercial fisheries on the resource off Atlantic Canada.