Abate Molina set sailed to investigate cuttlefish between Coquimbo and Bio Bio regions
July 27th, 2016
cuttlefish or big squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Last Friday, June 3 at 24:00 hours, with a total staff of 23 people, among the crew and researchers, the scientific vessel “Abate Molina” of IFOP set sailed from Valparaiso port, for the cruise “Direct evaluation of cuttlefish at central south region, a methodological proposal.” The studying sector covers from Coquimbo region till Bio Bio region.
The general objective of the research is: to ascertain the abundance and demographic structure of cuttlefish at central south region of Chile. The cruise will last 10 days, vessel Master is Iván Giakoni and cruise Chief is Esteban Molina. Once after the scientific cruise is finished, a report will be carried out by IFOP professionals.
The cuttlefish
The cuttlefish or big squid (Dosidicus gigas) is an endemic specie of the Oriental Pacific, which is present from California (approx. 40ºN) to the south of Chile (45ºS). The life cycle of squid is synchronized with the movements of water bodies where they live, associated with upwelling zones, convergence or fronts.
They perform very extensive horizontal migrations, where juveniles disperse from spawning area to the west and Ecuador. As advancing age, the cuttlefish actively migrate to more productive areas (coastal) for food, feeding mostly during the evening and night. This food is based primarily on euphausiids and some fish, such as myctophids, hoki and hake. In addition, there has been a high percentage of cannibalism among squids, especially from large specimens toward smaller ones.
In Chile, the artisanal fishery is carried out in three regions, mainly: IV, V and VIII; and the industrial fishery is carried out in front of the coast of VIII region.