Seems squid are now present in significant numbers off the NE:

http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/cont...1_1&newsid=8369

quote:

---

New species of squid in Scotland's waters
21 July 2005 05:49


Fishermen are cashing in on a new species which has sprung up unexpectedly in Scotland's waters.

Over the last three years squid have been abundant off the north east coast, bringing welcome income for hard pressed trawlermen and processors.

In the Fraserburgh fish markets, among the more mundane haddock and monkfish is a species more associated with warmer climes. Squid is bringing a welcome boost to fishermen and processors alike.

James Sutherland of Whitelink snaps up the best of the days catch for his Fraserbugh firm.

Over the last three years squid have been colonising off the Banffshire coast much to the delight of James and his son Graeme.

For the fishermen the attractions are obvious. A box can fetch up to two hundred pounds and the species is not subject to quotas and days at sea restrictions. Fishermen are keeping their fingers crossed for a good squid season. Last year saw them reap the benefits from June right through to December.

---

Exploiting the gaps left by missing whitefish? Expanding into new areas due to environmental change?

Wonder how close inshore they are being caught? - Anyone heard?

Jaffa this fisherie has been going for a few years now,even boats from whitby were up there a couple of years ago fishing for squid ,big money if you get among them ,the trawlers are always landing a couple of boxes of squid even when they are not acually targeting them, they have been around for some time but knowbody was really fishing for them.

Cheers BC. I remember seeing the odd half box of squid from east coast grounds, but never anything on this scale. You reckon it may just be that they are targeting them now then?

If they are targeting squid, it will leave the fish alone.....Yeah right

jaffa i am not sure whether they are fishing with a midwater trawl or not but i suspect they are and as bigdunny says it must take a bit of pressure of the white fish fisherie.

Just another way of earning cash. Ive said before these guys are diversifying to stay afloat. Two months on the squid, couple of months after coialie and pollock, couple of month intensive cod fishing. Diversification is now the name of the game.

Don't worry Jaffa they won't be doing it for long, I am sure within a couple of years they would have over fished it to the point of un-viability and they will move on to overfishing the next species.

Bob

Always look on the bright side Bob!

The midwater trawl makes sense BC. Cheers. have you heard far offshore they are getting them?

Jaffa if i remember the guys told me they were only a couple of miles of shore at times.

I can see them from my house and most are less than 500 yrd from the shore.7 days a week for most of the summer ,most if not all are not using mid water trawls as the depth out there is less than 200 feet and even under 100 in many places.
I can watch the crew on deck and hear them shouting when fishing the local pier.