THE CEPHALOPOD BY-CATCH OF DEEP-WATER TRAWLING ON THE HEBRIDES SLOPE

Deep-water trawling for fish species on the shelf slope off Scotland r esults in a by catch of rare cephalopod species. The cirrate octopus O pisthoteuthis grimaldii is normally present below 800 m; at least one other species of cirrate and five species of incirrate octopus are fou nd; significant extensions of range and depth are recorded. An inciden tal catch of the ommastrephid squid, Todarodes sagittatus, included a fully mature specimen and is indicative of its probable breeding locat ions. The results highlight the many taxonomic and systematic uncertai nties surrounding the rarer cephalopod forms, and emphasize the utilit y of the fishing by-catch.