Shanghai Ocean University has developed a pilot program aimed at helping Chinese squid-fishing firms improve their traceability and, therefore, access premium export markets.
Chen Xinjun, who is the project’s chief researcher and a professor at Shanghai Ocean University, told SeafoodSource that the traceability system uses radio frequency identification tags that are resistant to seawater and low temperatures. Paired with industrial-grade, vessel-mounted terminals and cloud databases, squid is immediately tagged once caught.
“Each bag of squid is assigned a unique digital ID, forming an unbroken data chain spanning fishing vessels, transshipment carriers, and onshore cold storage facilities,” he said. “After the squid are packed into standardized, traceable, woven bags at sea, terminals aboard the ship automatically capture Beidou [satellite] positioning data, fishing timestamps, and freezer compartment temperatures. Multi-antenna scanners rapidly verify tags during transshipment and dockside warehousing, recording the entire logistics trail. All data is encrypted and tamper-proof, eliminating risks of catch substitution or falsified origin information.”
On the other end of the supply chain, when deciding whether to buy a squid product, consumers can scan a code on packaging with their smartphones to view the product’s entire supply chain. That supply chain information includes details like fishing area, fishing time, operating vessel, and voyage trajectory.
According to Chen, the technology delivers two core benefits for marine conservation.
“First, it enables precise fishing oversight. The system tallies catch volumes by fishing ground, voyage, and vessel, distinguishing legal landings from undocumented catches. It delivers authentic datasets for fisheries authorities to control fishing pressure and assess squid stock levels, mitigating overfishing risks,” he said.
Second, Chen explained the system generates transparent trade documentation.
“Buyers can scan traceability codes to access complete fishing records, complying with traceability rules set by regional fisheries management organizations. This lowers compliance barriers and shrinks market channels for IUU seafood,” he said.
Chen said final trials of the new system, which is currently aimed at helping squid firms meet the export regulations of the Korean and Japanese markets, will run from September 2026 to January 2027, covering more fishing vessels and ocean fisheries.
“The team will accelerate the formulation of a group standard for squid traceability aligned with international fisheries governance frameworks,” he said. “Global technical exchanges will also be advanced to build mutually recognized traceability channels and share low-cost, adaptable high-seas fishing tracking solutions worldwide.”
The pilot was launched after China has made several moves, at least officially, to address IUU fishing. Last year, the nation ratified the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing – also known simply as the Port State Measures Agreement. Earlier this year, it also revised its national fisheries law to include greater efforts at combating IUU fishing.
China’s distant-water squid sector has been the focus of heavy scrutiny for its alleged IUU infractions, with vessels accused of engaging in overfishing, human rights abuses, and marine wildlife abuse in such fisheries as the Southwest Atlantic Argentine shortfin squid fishery and the Southeast Pacific jumbo flying squid fishery.
