Falklands pause Loligo squid fishing for two weeks over low biomass

The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department has announced a two-week fishing pause in the Loligo Box region due to low squid biomass levels. This precautionary measure was taken after consultation with the fishing industry, in an effort to ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock. The Department conducted targeted trawls to gather more accurate data on the distribution of the squid population.

Loligo squid, also known as Patagonian squid, is a significant source of income for the Falkland Islands, with Spain controlling most of the world's catch. Spain grants around sixteen licenses to fish in the Islands' waters, yielding approximately 50,000 tonnes annually. Pre-season surveys estimate the biomass at around 41,725 tonnes, with a reliable range of 34,726 to 60,190 tonnes.

This information was deemed sufficient to support a commercial season. The pause follows an unfavorable Illex season, which closed on June 22 with catches below the ten-year average, amid rising fuel costs. Additionally, global fishing pressure on squid in the southwest Atlantic has increased, with Chinese fleet fishing effort rising 85% between 2019 and 2024.

Argentina, which claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, has joined the FAO Port State Measures Agreement aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.