DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE SQUID MOROTEUTHIS-INGENS (CEPHALOPODA, ONYCHOTEUTHIDAE) IN THE FALKLAND-ISLANDS REGION OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

The distribution and abundance of the onychoteuthid squid Moroteuthis ingens were assessed for the Patagonian Shelf in the Falkland Islands region. Catch records from the commercial fishery and a research cruis e were recorded from 1988 to 1996. Sampling included benthic, pelagic and semi-pelagic trawls and jigging. Moroteuthis ingens was recorded f rom 1,414 stations out of a total of 9,060 stations with 79.9% of all positive stations being from benthic trawls. Catch size ranged up to a pproximately 3,000 kg. The length frequency analysis and maturity indi ces suggested a major recruitment onto the shelf in September with a m ovement off the shelf during winter. There appears to be a lack of mat ure females on the Patagonian Shelf, indicating that females migrate i nto deeper offshore water to spawn. Observations of predation on Morot euthis ingens on the Patagonian Shelf, along with a literature review, revealed that at least 4 mammal, 17 bird and 13 fish species prey on this squid.