Loligo opalescens is fished by purse seine vessels along the coast of California from North to Southis and is one of the most important in the State of California in terms of landings and revenue. Fishers target spawning squid because they die shortly after they reproduce. The fishery is managed by the Fish and Game Commission of the California Department of Fish and Game under California's Marine Life Management Act. The law requires that California market squid is managed with a fishing management plan. The current plan was implemented in the 2005/6 fishing season (MSFMP 2005).

The market squid (Loligo opalescens) fishery is one of the most important in the State of California in terms of landings and revenue.