Several authors found that a single stock of Patagonian squid exists around the Falkland Islands and that there are no genetic differences between spawning cohorts (Carvalho and Pitcher 1989)(Vega et al. 2001)(Scherbich et al. 2004). A genetic study shows that the Central-Southern Chilean and the Falklands are in fact the same population with morphometric differences explained by the phenotypic plasticity of the species in response to environmental differences, whereas the Peruvian population is separated (Jones 2019)(McKeown et al. 2019).

Two sub-areas are recognized - North and South -  considering two sub-stocks with individuals emigrating from different spawning grounds and remaining segregated (Arkhipkin and Middleton 2002).

Even though four fleets are involved with this fishery, local vessels are responsible for >90% of the catches on average (almost 100% in 2021 and 2022). The United Kingdom and Spain have been the other two major contributors although accounted for almost no catches in 2021 and 2022, and Korea has marginal participation (FIG 2022)(FIG 2023). Considering the Brexit situation, this might change, taking into account a number of possible measures that could be undertaken in the next years (Oanta 2021).