North to Alaska: Spawning by Market Squid, Doryteuthis opalescens, in Subarctic Waters

Abstract

Market squid, Doryteuthis that spawning periodically extends into sub- ket squid and absence of spawning prior to opalescens, inhabit nearshore waters along arctic waters. The timing (mid-June to early 2015 were not related to local conditions. It the Pacific coast of North America from July) was relatively compressed compared is unclear whether the increased abundance Baja California to southeast Alaska, with to spawning by southern populations. Wa- and repeated spawning events by market spawning typically ranging as far north as ter temperature during this period averaged squid over the last several years represent southern British Columbia. Increased num- 10.0oC and was within the lower range re- the development of an established populabers of market squid and successive spawn- ported for this species during spawning. Sa- tion within southeast Alaska or is the result ing events were observed during 2015–19 linity was less than normally observed, aver- of continued immigration from areas farther in Little Port Walter, a small saltwater bay aging 31.1 ppt. Environmental factors with- south, although colder water temperatures in southeast Alaska. These observations sug- in the area have not changed appreciably along the outer coast during 2017–18 were gest a recent shift in distribution and, com- since the late 1990’s–early 2000’s, suggest- probably less conducive to northerly movebined with evidence from the 1980’s, suggest ing that the infrequent observations of mar- ments by this species.