Global Squid SR

The T75 sector report for squid details the state of the sector. Based on 2014 production data, 12,040 tonnes, or 0.3 percent of the global production, are currently considered sustainable or improving, using publicly available information on MSC status and FIP progress ratings reviewed in early October 2017. The US Northeast Longfin Inshore Squid Bottom Trawl Fishery is MSC certified.

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, as well as 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:

Shantou-Taiwan Chinese common squid - jigging/single trawl FIP

New Zealand Arrow Squid FIPs

Mexico Gulf of California giant squid jig FIP 

Peruvian jumbo flying squid jig FIP

East China Sea and Yellow Sea Japanese flying squid trawl FIP

Current participants in the Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable include:

We are seeking additional participants particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and in South America.

Improvement Needs:

Asia-Pacific

• Address data deficiency in areas of recruitment, landings data, fishing effort, bycatch, gear impacts, identifying spawning zones, and PET 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.
• Work with domestic supply chains in producing countries to engage distant water squid fleets in high seas improvement efforts.

South America

• Develop fishery assessments for Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi) fisheries.
• Update fishery assessments on the jumbo flying squid (Dosidcus gigas) fisheries.
• 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 RFMO-type management body for high seas fisheries.
• Strengthen regulatory and enforcement management of 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 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.

In South America, the SR has the following overall goals:

• Support the efforts of the Sociedad Nacional de Industrias (SNI) to set up a FIP for the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery.
• Develop and update squid fisheries assessments as a first step to identify areas in need of improvement in South American squid fisheries.
• Support the efforts of Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Southern Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid (CALAMSUR) 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 & jumbo flying squid. 

In particular, objectives through the end of 2018 are as follows:

• Support the establishment a FIP in the Argentine Shortfin squid within Argentinian EEZ waters.
• Support the efforts of Chinese (Shantou) Mitre Squid FIP and secure participation and funding from relevant SR participants and supply chains.
• Ensure all squid FIPs under the SR are maintaining a minimum “B” (Good) SFP FIP Progress Rating.
• Support the efforts of the East China Sea and Yellow Sea Japanese flying squid trawl prospective FIP.
• Ensure the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery FIP work plan and reporting publically available on Fisheryprogress.org.
• Encourage and support IMARPE’s efforts to develop a stock assessment model that is applicable in assessing stock status of all Jumbo Flying squid fisheries under South Pacific RFMO influence.
• Fully develop FishSource profiles for Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi) and Indian squid (Loligo duvauceli) fisheries and evaluate improvement needs for those fisheries. 

Action Recommendations for Suppliers:

• Work with supply chains to initiate FIPs in fisheries where improvements are needed.
• 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.
• Publically support the setting up of a FIP on the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery and work with Peruvian national industry to encourage the formation of the FIP.
• Publicly support IMARPE’s effort to develop a stock assessment methodology that is applicable for all Jumbo Flying squid fisheries within South Pacific RFMO.
• Publicly support establishing a Shortfin Squid FIP in the Argentinian EEZ waters.
• Promote and sponsor the update and development of squid fisheries assessments.
• Support efforts such as the US East Coast squid fishery’s MSC certification process.  

Progress Update

The SR progress update can be found here.

This briefing provides an update on progress, activities and news in the areas of interest to to the SR. It also indicates any actions and further support needed. A full summary of past progress, incl. details from past quarterly updates, can be found here.

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.

Peru Jumbo Flying Squid

Peruvian Jumbo Flying Squid FIP - Jig

Update:

• The FIP was published as a as basic FIP on Fisheryprogress.org here. The FIP covers 75% of total production as not all fishing associations have joined the FIP.

Further support needed:Support the transition to a comprehensive FIP, and encourage remaining fishing associations to join the FIP.  Contact Pedro Ferreiro at SFP for more information. 

Chile Jumbo Flying Squid

Update: No Q4 progress update 

Further support needed:SR participants to confirm their interest in improvements to your supply chain, contact Pedro Ferreiro. 

Argentina, Argentine Shortfin Squid

Update:

• A meeting was held at Conxemar in October to discuss early development of a FIP, while discussions were held with producers and the ministry representatives from Argentina. 
• In December, meeting held in Argentina with squid jiggers association (CAPA) who represent 90% of total catch. The FIP model and improvement incentives presented to CAPA.  CAPA agreed to organize a formal meeting with additional stakeholders, including other fishing associations, scientific institutes, and the Undersecretary of Fisheries. 

Further support needed:SR participants continue to confirm their support for improvements to their Argentinian supply chain and support the FIP launch, contact Pedro Ferreiro. 

China, Japanese Flying Squid (JFS):

East China Sea and Yellow Sea Japanese Flying Squid FIP - Trawl

Update:

• East China Sea and Yellow Sea Japanese Flying Squid FIP full FIP profile published on Fisheryprogress.org.
• The Yellow Sea-East China Sea Japanese Flying Squid FIPwas formally launched on November 6, 2018 at a meeting hosted by CAPPMA and Ocean Outcomes in Qingdao, China. See separate attached meeting summary. Media clip here. 
• The next JFS FIP update meeting will be held during the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels on May 6^th, 3-5pm. SR participants are invited to attend, and please contact Dick Jones at Ocean Outcomes for more details.

 Further support needed: Additional support for this FIP is needed.  Please contact Songlin Wang for more information on the FIP.

Chinese Common Squid FIP:

Shantou-Taiwan Chinese common squid - jigging/single trawl

Update: Progress updates for this FIP can found here.

Further support needed: China Blue is working to transition this FIP from basic to comprehensive, and seeking additional support for the next phase of the project. Please contact Yinglin He at China Blue for additional information or to join the FIP.

Indian Squid:

Update: No recent updates. 

Further support needed:Contact Sam Grimley if your company is interested in seeing an Indian squid improvement effort developed.  

Mexico Jumbo Flying Squid:

Update: Progress updates on this FIP are found here.

Further support needed:Monitor and support progress of the FIP, where needed.  For more information on this FIP contact Juan Pedro Vela.

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. 

Update: No Q4 progress update

Further support needed:None.Currently all existing FIPs are rated A-C, according to SFP’s FIP Progress Ratings.

3. Support Mitigation of Fishery/FIP Overarching Sustainability issues

Relevant News:

• A preliminary stock assessment model for jumbo flying squid for all major jumbo squid fisheries in Southeast Pacific was presented to the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO).  If applied, it would provide the basis for management of the entire stock in the Southeast Pacific.  The full report to the SPRFMO can be found here. 
• Jumbo Flying Squid Consultancy Report, P.L. Cordue, June 2018
• The Committee for the Sustainable Management of South Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid (CALAMASUR) hosted a workshop in Dec. 2018.  CALAMASUR developed a position statement on policy changes to the SPRFMO, including addressing JFS stock structure issues, improved data collection, and adoption of vessel monitoring system.
• Additionally, CALAMASUR formalized their governance structure during the workshop.

Further support needed:Continue to support the adoption of the JFS stock assessment by the SPRFMO.  For more information, contact Enrique Alonso at SFP.

4. Expansion of the SR 

SFP is in process to identify buyers of squid from Indonesia, Thailand, and of South Korea and Chinese fisheries (in own EEZ and overseas). 

Update: Seafood Innovation, India joined the SR in December, 2018.

Further support needed:Promote the SR to fellow industry members and share your supply chain knowledge with SFP.  Please contact Sam or Pedro at SFP.