Cephalopoda in the northern Adriatic trawl catches

Abstract

         The researches in the channels of the Northern Adriatic, the Virsko more included, were conducted by the m/b »Bios« (1966-1971).

          The collected data show that in the trawl catches Cephalopoda were represented with six species: Alloteuthis media (L i n n é), Loligo vulgaris (L a- m a r c k), Illex illecebrosus coindetii (V e r a n y), Sepia elegans (O r b i g n y), Sepiola rondeleti (S t e e n s t r u p), and Eledone moschata (L a m a r c k).

         As to frequency the species that prevailed were Alloteuthis media and Sepia elegans regardless to the character of the sea beds and the presence of the Nephrops norvegicus - Thenea muricata associations. In the total weight of the Cephalopoda catches, 36.25 kg (m/b »Bios«, 1966-1971), the species Sepia elegans was represented with 33.4% and Alloteuthis media with 19.8%.

             The data given by the Zavod za statistiku SRH (Bureau of Statistics) show that in the channels of the Northern Adriatic Cephalopoda make 8,9% of the total ten-year catches (1961-1970).

                No data on Cephalopoda catches in the coastal region of Istria exist because trawling has never been a regular practice there. Yet, it is certain that squid are often found, though never registered, in the circular moored nets.