The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is crediting work performed at its global squid supply chain roundtable for the rapid improvement in the sustainability of squid fisheries globally.
According to SFP, nearly one-fifth of all squid produced globally can now be classified as either sustainable or improving toward sustainability. That’s in stark contrast to just a year ago, when SFP estimated that less than one percent of squid production was sustainable or improving.
SFP has been monitoring the sustainability of squid – and many other fisheries – as part of its Target 75 Initiative, which back in 2017 set a goal to have 75 percent or more of seafood volume produced globally either reach sustainability or be improving toward sustainability.
Now, SFP analysts are saying that 18 percent of squid production now qualifies, and credit the supply chain roundtable (SR) with the rapid improvement.
“Beginning at the point where we first formed the combined SR, a lot has been accomplished in a pretty short time,” Sam Grimley, who leads the Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable for SFP, said. “Based on that, it’s pretty safe to say we’ll be making more announcements about progress with squid down the road.”
Not only that, but the amount of squid that’s approaching a new fishery improvement project (FIP) has also jumped significantly.
“In addition, work is proceeding to establish several new fishery improvement projects that could add as much as 19 percent more global volume, totaling 37 percent,” wrote SFP.
SFP also credits the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Southern Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid, which has improved the Peruvian jumbo flying squid fishery at the regional fisheries management level. Other stakeholders include the China Blue Sustainability Institute, which facilitated a new FIP; and Ocean Outcomes, an NGO that announced a FIP late last year in the East China and Yellow Sea squid.
