Both SRs were initiated by European squid importers and buyers, along with North American importers and buyers for the Asia-Pacific region, who recognized that addressing many of the sustainability challenges found in the world’s squid fisheries would require a collaborative, pre-competitive approach from industry stakeholders.
Early efforts focused on the Chinese mitre squid, Japanese flying squid, and Peruvian jumbo flying squid fisheries, as these were important fisheries to many of the initial SR members. Participating importers and buyers were able to engage with and communicate to their Chinese and Peruvian domestic suppliers and national fishing authorities in both countries regarding the importance of sustainability to the global market.
While initial SR efforts were focused on promoting fishery improvement projects (FIPs) in these specific squid fisheries, some companies participated in SR meetings despite having no association with the fisheries. These companies hope to take lessons learned from this experience and apply them to other squid fisheries in the region, once the SR has developed a first assessment of these fisheries (through FishSource profiles) and the SR’s efforts expand.
The most recent T75 sector update report for squid was released in early 2019 and details the state of the sector. According to the report’s findings, 14 percent of the global production is currently considered sustainable or improving, up from 0.03 percent in the 2017 T75 squid sector report. The US Northeast Longfin Inshore Squid Bottom Trawl Fishery became the first squid fishery to achieve MSC certification.
It is possible that existing supply chain leverage and interest may be able to influence more than 57 percent of global production. The key to reaching T75 is engaging Chinese and South Korean fisheries operating in the international waters off South America. The industry can accomplish this through demand from some markets already engaged in sustainability, engaging the markets where those products end up, and creating demand for sustainable products from new markets.
Fisheries and/or FIPs Covered:
At present, the roundtable focuses on a number of squid fisheries found worldwide. Please find an overview of all T75 relevant fisheries, including those currently not prioritized by the SR, here.
The following FIPs are supported and monitored:
Current participants in the Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable include:
We are seeking additional SR participants particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and in South America.
*Denotes T75 Champion
Progress Update
A summary of past progress can be found in the SR Chronicles.
Improvement Needs
Asia-Pacific
- Address data deficiencies in areas of recruitment, landings data, fishing effort, bycatch, gear impacts, identifying spawning zones, and endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species interactions.
- Based on data collection, implement and enforce the regulation of fishing effort, as well as seasonal and fishing zone closures, to protect spawning stocks.
- Strengthen enforcement of existing squid fishery regulations, including closed fishing areas and seasons, in order to address IUU fishing conducted by distant water fleets.
- Work with domestic supply chains in producing countries to engage distant water squid fleets in high seas improvement efforts.
South America
- Strengthen enforcement of existing national squid fishery regulations and EEZ waters control, in order to minimize impacts at stock level of the fishing activity happening in international waters.
- Mobilize Argentine shortfin (Illex argentinus) fishing countries to collectively establish an RFMO-type management body for high seas fisheries.
- Strengthen regulatory and enforcement management in regional and international waters of jumbo flying squid fisheries at the South Pacific RFMO level.
Current Objectives
In general, the Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) objectives focus on monitoring sustainability status and issues relating to the region’s squid fisheries, engaging supply chains and local producers in fishery improvement efforts, and monitoring the progress of current squid FIP efforts toward long-term sustainability of squid in domestic and international markets. Additionally, objectives in 2021 will include formalization of the SR through efforts such as piloting an Industry Chair role, exploring funding mechanisms, bylaws, participation requirements, etc.
In South America, the SR has the following overall goals:
- Support the efforts of the Peruvian Chamber of the Jumbo Flying Squid/Cámara Peruana del Calamar Gigante (CAPECAL) to set up a FIP for the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery.
- Develop and update squid fisheries assessments as a first step toward identifying areas in need of improvement in South American squid fisheries.
- Support the efforts of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Southern Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid (CALAMASUR) to improve management and enforcement at the RFMO level.
- Engage Chinese and South Korean fleets operating in international waters in improvement efforts for Argentine shortfin and jumbo flying squid.
- Support the legalization of the artisanal squid fleet in Peru.
In particular, objectives through the end of 2021 are as follows:
- Initiate a FIP in the Argentine shortfin squid fishery within Argentinian EEZ waters.
- Support the efforts of the Chinese (Shantou) Mitre Squid FIP and secure participation and funding from relevant SR participants and supply chains.
- Ensure all published FIPs receive an A-C SFP FIP progress rating.
- Ensure the East China Sea and Yellow Sea Japanese flying squid - trawl FIP and the Peru jumbo flying squid - jig FIP workplans are implemented and progress publicly reported on FisheryProgress.org.
- Fully develop FishSource profiles for Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi).
- Monitor and support efforts of the Indian squid (Loligo duvauceli) FIP through public reporting on Fisheryprogress.org.
- Support the development of an MSC pre-assessment and a FIP action plan in the artisanal component of the Chilean jumbo flying squid fishery,
Action Recommendations for Suppliers
- Undertake efforts to eliminate IUU fishing practices by distant water fleets. Efforts include piloting traceability systems, advocating for stronger regional and domestic enforcement and policy changes, participating in the SR’s IUU working group, and piloting other supply chain approaches to ensure legal fishing practices in sourcing.
- Work with supply chains to initiate FIPs in fisheries where improvements are needed, and ensure sourcing from actively engaged supply chains.
- When sourcing from squid fisheries that are managed under seasonal closures, SR participants should ensure suppliers implement no-purchase policies during fishing moratoriums.
- Exported squid products from the region are often sourced from a mix of various squid fisheries, so importers and buyers should ensure that their suppliers can identify the individual source fisheries.
- Reach out to other supply chain companies to encourage their participation and engagement on the SR.
- Support the efforts of the Peruvian jumbo flying squid FIP
- Publicly support SPRFMO’s effort to develop a stock assessment methodology that is applicable to all jumbo flying squid fisheries within the South Pacific.
- Publicly support establishing a shortfin squid FIP in the Argentinian EEZ waters.
- Promote and sponsor the update and development of squid fisheries assessments.
If you would like more information about the Supply Chain Roundtable or wish to support it, please contact Carmen Gonzalez Valles or Pedro Ferreiro.
Quarterly Global Squid SR Update – July to September 2020
This briefing provides an update on progress, activities, and news in the areas of interest to the SR. It also indicates any actions and further support needed. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global squid sector and delayed progress on a number of initiatives. The following captures what was presented to the SR participants at the annual SR meeting in June 2020:
1. Improvements in SR Target 75 priority fisheries
Please find an overview of fisheries identified in the T75 Squid Sector Report, including those currently not necessarily prioritized by the SR, here.
Peruvian Jumbo Flying Squid FIP
Update: Twenty-two companies signed the letter of support for the Peruvian JFS FIP, requesting proactive engagement in formalization of the Peruvian fleet. The aim is to publicly publish the letter, preferably by industry itself, for greater impact on the ministry. The Ministry of Tourism will receive a copy the letter, among others, since they are in charge of exports monitoring.
Further support needed: SR participants to engage vendors to participate in funding the FIP and join CAPECAL.
Chile Jumbo Flying Squid
Update: The pre-assessment was presented to La Coordinadora Nacional de Jibieros.
Further support needed: If you are sourcing from Chile, encourage your suppliers to express support for the Chile Jumbo Flying Squid FIP to La Coordinadora. For more details contact Renato Gozzer.
Argentine Shortfin Squid
Update: A consultant has been hired. The pre-assessment was conducted, and results will be presented in October to CAPA.
Further support needed: SR participants express support for FIP initiation and CAPA efforts. Contact Pedro Ferreiro for more information.
India Squid, India Kerala Shrimp and Cephalopods FIP - trawl
Update: No recent updates provided. Progress updates on this FIP can be found here.
Further support needed: We encourage any interested companies to contact Vinod Malayilethu for more information.
2. Support to established FIPs and improvement efforts
Please find an overview of all existing FIPs and improvement efforts, their current progress rating, and status here.
3. Support for mitigation of overarching fishery/FIP sustainability issues
Relevant News: SFP is working on a draft statement of intent for the IUU working group and a longer-term strategy document on an IUU approach. Three companies confirmed their intent to join the IUU working group.
Further support needed: Please contact Renato Gozzer at SFP for more information.
4. Expansion of the SR
There has been limited success in engaging buyers of squid from Indonesia and Thailand, or South Korean and Chinese fisheries (in their own EEZ and overseas). SFP will continue to work with SR participants to engage supply chains in these countries.
Further support needed: Connect any relevant South Korean or Chinese companies with SFP.