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seafood encyclopedia
Squid: Illex
Overview
- Scientific Name: Illex illecebrosus (Northern Shortfin Squid); Illex argentinus (Argentine Squid)
- US Market Name(s): Squid, Calamari
- Canada Market Name(s): Short-finned Squid, Squid, Calamari
Culinary Profile
Squid offer a mild and somewhat sweet flavour. The meat is tender and succulent. Frozen tubes should be ivory-white in colour and have no distinct odor.
Description
Like all other cephalopod mollusks - Squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. The Squid’s body consists of eight arms and two tentacles. The long tubular shaped body is the mantle. The Squids’ mouth is nestled in between the arms. Squid range in length from one inch to six feet.
Habitat
There are over 300 species of Squid that can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – geographic range varies for each species. Northern Shortfin Squid is found in the Atlantic Ocean - ranging from Newfoundland to Florida. Argentine Squid is found off the east coast of South America - near Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Argentine Squid is one of several species of imported squid.
Fishing Seasons
Sustainability Status
Squid fisheries are at the risk of collapse. While some regions have implemented fishing regulations, these have not been proven to be entirely reliable and unregulated fishing still occurs.
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