This research plan proposes to study the expansion of the Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) range into Oregon waters from 2010-2012. The squid have expanded their range dramatically northward from their native waters off California. The plan aims to determine what the squid are eating in their new range, if they are breeding there, and who may be eating them through interviews with fishermen, sample collection and analysis. The goals are to understand potential impacts on Oregon fisheries and inform management. Collaborators include Oregon Sea Grant and fisheries scientists.

1. A cooperative effort to track the Humboldt Squid invasion in Oregon Selina Heppell and Sarikka Attoe Research Plan 2010-2012

2. The problem Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas aka Jumbo Squid) have experienced a dramatic range expansion “Native Range” = south of Point Conception, CA New Range = all the way to Alaska in some years They are large (>1m) predators that can consume large prey items

3. The problem Light gray shows native range Darker grays show expanded range Expansion to south mirrors ours in the north, but earlier?

4. Why has the range of Humboldt Squid expanded so drastically? Theories: Climate change El Niňo events always resulted in temporary range expansions After the 2002 El Niňo the squid populations have persisted in their new range Shifts in the food web Common prey = sardine, also more common in north lately Overfishing of competitors and predators of juveniles? http://envirocation.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/humboldt-squid.jpg

5. What are they eating in their new range? No one knows Are they breeding in their new range? No one knows Is someone eating them? No one knows

6. Why do we care? Commercial and recreational fishing are very important to the state of Oregon Fishermen are pulling up target species with Squid actively eating the target species (for instance salmon) High profile species: beach strandings, recreational fishing, Discovery Channel Invasive? Indicators of climate change?

7. Diet Anchovies Hake Mackerel Sardines Rockfish

8. Diet Are they Eating Salmon? (These were caught at the same time)

9. Diet Are they eating Tuna?

10. Diet Hake = major prey item Indications of negative impacts of squid in Chile

11. Cooperative Research Goal: To determine the extent of jumbo squid in Oregon, correlations between catches and oceanographic variables, and prey composition within that range.

12. Research Plan Interview fisherman and research historical catch information to determine where squid have been present and under what conditions. Work with tuna, salmon, and charter fishermen to collect samples of jumbo squidin areas typically fished by the commercial and recreational industries. Determine diet. Create a GIS map of reported catches and CPUE. Determine if squid are breeding. Inform industry and the general public.

13. Diet analysis Squid don’t always swallow prey whole! Dissect stomachs ID hard parts or large identifiable chunks of prey DNA analysis of unidentifiable chunks of prey Evaluate presence/absence, relative occurrence of different prey types in time and space Compare to California and other parts of the jumbo squid range

14. Public Outreach . Squid Cook Off Get to know how delicious this invader tastes! Display at Hatfield Visitor Center Including a preserved squid! Short Documentary with Oregon SeaGrant Target fishermen and interested public

15. So what? We will find out if the squid are feeding on key species, and their potential impact on Oregon fisheries We will find out if the squid are breeding in Oregon or if they just move up there to eat We will inform the public about the range expansion We will inform efforts to establish Humboldt Squid as a new fishery in our area

16. Collaborators Bill Hanshumaker and Oregon Sea Grant Tuna and salmon fishermen Dr. William Gilly, Stanford Dr. John Field, SW Fisheries Science Center