Swordtip Squid

Based on the different fishing seasons and biological characteristics, it is known that the mature swordtip squid migrates in three different seasonal shoals: spring, summer, and autumn. Males are around 65 cm in length and females 40 cm. The female squid lay a dozen eggs on the sandy seafloor from spring through summer.
In Shimane Prefecture, swordtip squid are caught by squid fishing carried out along the coast (using lights to attract the shoals at night), pound nets, and offshore bottom trawling.
From summer through autumn, the lights from squid fishing boats in the waters near the Oki Islands illuminate the sea at night, creating a beautiful sight. The same squid species have different names in different regions; here in the Oki Islands, the spear squid (Heterololigo bleekeri) is known as the swordtip squid, and the swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) is known as shiroika, meaning "white squid."