Cephalopods, 2572 tonnes landed during 1990, are an important fishing resource on the Catalan Coast (NW Mediterranean). The main exploited species are octopuses, Eledone cirrhosa and Octopus vulgaris, 70% of the total cephalopod catch; cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, 10 % of the total; squid Loligo vulgaris, 7%; and shortfin squid Illex coindetii, 3%. Monthly catches (1981-1990) of these species show a marked seasonality, linked to their reproductive behaviour and short life span. Most commercial cephalopods are fished at depths down to 200 m. Hourly yields are related to the characteristic bathymetric distribution of each species. The O. vulgaris and E. cirrhosa size distributions are shown to be significantly associated with depth. The progression of the I. coindetii and E. cirrhosa size distributions during the year was analysed. In both species, recruitment lasts for several months and larger individuals disappear gradually from the population. |