University researchers are aiming to address declining squid populations by farming the species

In August 2022, researchers at the Physics and Biology Unit of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) announced they had developed the first squid aquaculture system with potential for commercialisation. Aimed at a group of species known as oval squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana), the researchers hope their new system will be a way of reducing the pressure on wild squid populations and providing Japanese consumers with healthy, sustainable seafood.

Established in 2011, OIST is an international science and technology institution that fosters collaboration among individuals from 65 countries and regions to engage in cutting-edge education and research. Among the researchers at the Physics and Biology Unit is Dr Zdenek Lajbner from the Czech Republic. He arrived at OIST in 2012 and has been involved in cephalopod research since 2014.

“I was very excited when we started to work in the brand new OIST Marine Science Station back in 2016,” Lajbner told WF. “We closed the oval squid life cycle at the station in 2017 and since then, we have been improving squid aquaculture techniques.”