The top stout bobtail squid (Rossia macrosoma) is a small cephalopod species found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the coasts of the British Isles, France, Spain, and Portugal. Characterized by its compact, rounded body and short arms, this squid inhabits sandy or muddy sea bottoms at depths ranging from 50 to 750 meters. While not a primary target of large-scale commercial fisheries, the stout bobtail squid is often caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting other demersal species. The main countries involved in harvesting this species are the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal, where it may be utilized locally for bait or occasionally for human consumption. The fishing industry for this squid remains relatively small and localized compared to larger commercial cephalopods, but it contributes to the broader biodiversity caught in European trawl fisheries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.