81 million pounds of squid were landed in Los Angeles in 2006. Squid are short lived and their entire population is replaced each year, so estimates of how much squid are in the water aren't been done like they are with other fish. Squid are also sensitive to water that is warm or poor in nutrients, so the catch can fluctuate greatly from year to year. Squid can be caught year around.

Bycatch of other species is generally low. Vessels primarily use scoop nets or purse seines, but do not hang them deep avoiding contact with the bottom. Lights attract the squid to the surface where they are more easily captured. They feed at the bottom of the food chain, so they don't have problems with mercury accumulation like larger, longer living fish that feed higher on the food chain.

Before the 1990s, the squid market was small. By the late 1990s demand from Asia skyrocketed and squid became California's most valuable fishery. Soon after, El Nino conditions made catching squid harder and poor economic conditions in Asia reduced demand.

In 2005, about 80% of squid catch was exported, mostly to China. In 2006, just under 50% of squid were exported because the squid fishery in the Falkland Islands in South America has returned.

Squid caught in the San Diego area are offloaded at the port of San Pedro in Los Angeles because the distributors are located there that have the equipment to offload and process them.

NOAA Fish Watch - Squid