Companies participating in the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) have raised concerns over legislative proposals in Chile and Peru that they say could significantly increase fishing effort in the jumbo flying squid fishery without adequate scientific assessment.
The jumbo flying squid (Dosidicus gigas) fishery is the world’s most important cephalopod fishery, supporting thousands of fishers, processors, exporters and seafood businesses. The fishery also plays a vital role in food security and economic stability across coastal communities in South America.
In a joint statement, SR participants acknowledged the progress made in recent years to improve fisheries management in both countries.
“As buyers committed to responsible sourcing and the sustainability of marine resources, we recognise the significant progress achieved in recent years thanks to the joint efforts of fisheries managers, research institutes, nongovernmental organisations and fishery sector representatives in both Chile and Peru,” the group said.
However, concerns have emerged over proposed legislative changes currently under discussion. In Chile, a new bill could allow the return of industrial trawling in certain areas, potentially reversing elements of the Squid Law (Ley de la Jibia), which prioritised selective fishing methods such as jigging and handlines.
Meanwhile, in Peru, proposed legislation would permit the registration of approximately 2,000 additional vessels outside an earlier formalisation process that concluded in 2023. According to the SR, this could substantially increase fishing effort at a time when 83.27% of the 2026 squid quota has already been harvested.
“The future stability of the fishery depends on continued effective management measures that balance the economic and social needs of fishing communities with conservation of the resource,” the group stated.
The SR also expressed its ‘full support for artisanal fishers and all actors who have worked for years to strengthen the responsible management of this fishery’.
“We firmly believe that the sustainability of the jumbo flying squid is a shared objective that benefits all actors in the value chain,” the statement concluded. “Protecting the progress achieved will ensure the future of the fishery, the stability of international markets and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on this resource.”
