The brief squid (Lolliguncula brevis) is a small, fast-growing cephalopod native to the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Chesapeake Bay in the United States down to Argentina. This species inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries, making it accessible to local fisheries. While not as heavily targeted as other commercial squids, brief squid are harvested mainly as bait and for local consumption. The primary countries involved in the fishing of brief squid are the United States, particularly along the Atlantic coast (notably in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states), as well as Brazil and Argentina, where artisanal and small-scale fisheries operate. The brief squid fishery is relatively modest compared to the massive squid industries in the Pacific, but it plays a role in supporting local economies and supplying bait for larger fisheries targeting species like bluefish and striped bass.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.