Nocturnal bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) jigging: green LED spectrum penetration?
Why do artisanal fishermen in Tangalle utilize 520nm green submersible LED lights rather than white halogen lamps when handline jigging for squid after dark?
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3 Answers from travellers
Artisanal night squid jigging along the southern continental shelf targets Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana / Dekissa). Modern fishers suspend 12V underwater green LED lamps (dominant wavelength 520-530nm) 2 to 4 meters below outrigger canoes. Green light corresponds to the optical transmission window of coastal seawater, penetrating deeper with minimal backscatter compared to broadband white light. The light attracts phototactic planktonic crustaceans and baitfish, which in turn draws predatory squid toward the surface where fishers jerk luminous multi-hook jigs (Yozuri).
Squid must be lifted over the gunwale gently; startled squid blast dense black melanin ink defensive clouds that stain wooden outrigger hulls.
Jigged squid commands double the market price of trawl-netted squid because the flesh remains completely undamaged, translucent, and free of sand.
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