Giant squid Thysanoteuthis rhombus caught by jigs in Calauag Bay, southeastern Luzon

Abstract

Test fishing for the giant squid Thysanoteuthis rhombus using large jigs was conducted in selected areas around Alabat Island, Quezon Province from May 1991 to October 1992. A total of 92 fishing days and 425.3 fishing hours were successfully completed and 1,650 jigs were set. The total catch was 82 giant squids of total weight 412 kg. Catch per unit effort was on average 0.02 kg/jig-hour or 5 squids/100 jigs, but higher from July to September. Capture of the giant squid by jigs was very seasonal, only from June to October. During these months, fish aggregating shelters were installed to catch pelagic fishes, and these shelters may have attracted the giant squid to Calauag Bay. The sample of 82 giant squids adds considerable information to the biology of this species in Philippine waters. The smallest specimen, caught in August 1991, was 23 cm in mantle length and 750 g in weight. The largest specimen, caught in September 1992, was a male 69 cm in mantle length and 10.3 kg in weight. Of the 66 specimens examined, 31 were males and 35 were females. About 52% of the specimens were sexually mature, 30% were maturing, and the rest were immature. Of the 61 stomachs dissected, 20 were empty, six were full or 3/4 full, and the rest were in between. The giant squid was a fish eater, almost all stomachs containing fish bones, spines, scales, or digested fish meat.