Both SRs were initiated by European squid importers and buyers—along with North American importers and buyers for the Asia-Pacific region—who recognize that addressing many of the sustainability challenges found in the world’s squid fisheries will require a collaborative, precompetitive 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 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 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 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.
Fisheries and/or FIPs Covered:
At present, the roundtable focuses on a number of squid fisheries found worldwide. The following FIPs are supported and monitored:
Shantou-Taiwan Chinese common squid - jigging/single trawl FIP
Peruvian Jumbo Flying Squid (pre-FIP status)
Japanese Flying Squid Project (Ocean Outcomes, SeaFresh, PanaPesca in FIP Initiation)
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.
South America
- Develop fishery assessments on Argentine shortfin (Illex argentinus) and 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.
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 two additional 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.
In particular, objectives through the end of 2017 are as follows:
- Establish a fully operational SR with formal participants, develop an SR workplan, and schedule future SR meetings.
- Ensure the Chinese (Shantou) Mitre Squid FIP confirms additional participants and is fully funded.
- Ensure all squid FIPs under the SR are maintaining a minimum “B” (Good) SFP FIP Progress Rating.
- Formalize a new FIP in the Japanese flying squid fisheries.
- Ensure the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery publically announces the initiation of the FIP.
- Fully develop FishSource profiles for Argentine shortfin (Illex argentinus) and Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi) 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.
- Promote and sponsor the update and development of squid fisheries assessments.