Identification of benthic egg masses and spawning grounds in commercial squid in the English Channel and Celtic Sea: Loligo vulgaris vs L. forbesii

European squid, Loligo vulgaris and veined forbesii have nearly coinciding distributions in the northeast Atlantic, a similar reproductive seasonality, largely overlapping depth ranges of spawning grounds. There are no unambiguous criteria to distinguish between egg masses both species. This pioneering study was focused on Celtic Sea western part English Channel combined research survey data observations by recreational divers (“citizen science”). found reproduce there late winter – spring; distribution coincided with bottom temperature range 8.5−10 °C salinities 35–35.5 psu. No L.forbesii were across area though they known from literature occur deeper areas further west. Based original material literature, we provide guideline squids based size embryonic stage as tool map species-specific grounds, towards improved understanding population structure, migrations development fisheries management measures.