Global squid industry leaders are calling for stronger international fisheries management, improved scientific cooperation, and greater traceability as fishing activity and market demand continue to grow.

Representatives from fishing fleets, seafood processors, and regional advisory groups discussed the future of global squid fisheries during a panel at CONXEMAR 2026 in Vigo, Spain, highlighting gaps in stock assessments, international governance, and efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Squid fisheries supply major international seafood markets and processing industries, particularly in Europe, but many operate across national boundaries and international waters, complicating management and enforcement.

Panelists pointed to uncontrolled fishing effort near exclusive economic zones, limited scientific data, and inconsistent oversight as challenges facing the sector.

Much of the discussion centered on the South Pacific jumbo flying squid fishery, where the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) has been working to improve scientific assessments. At a recent scientific meeting, however, member countries stopped short of completing a full stock-assessment framework or establishing hard catch limits for the fishery.

“In the South Pacific, advancing the scientific foundation for jumbo flying squid management remains a priority,” said Alfonso Miranda, president of CALAMASUR. “While SPRFMO has worked to improve stock evaluation models, closing the data gap requires unified international commitment.”

Miranda said coastal, flag, and market states will need to work together to ensure management keeps pace with fishing activity and changing market expectations.

European seafood companies are also taking a greater role in the management discussion. Conxemar, the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters and Manufacturers of Fish and Aquaculture Products, has joined SPRFMO as an observer.

Although Europe does not operate a fleet targeting jumbo flying squid in the South Pacific, the fishery remains an important source of product for Spanish and European processors.

Alexandre Rodriguez, executive secretary and general director of the Long Distance Advisory Council, said governance has not kept pace with the fishery's growth.

“The Long Distance Advisory Council calls for a level playing field for all products entering the EU market, backed by risk-based import controls, stronger enforcement of existing rules ... and full transparency throughout the entire value chain,” Rodriguez said.

Similar efforts are underway in the southern Atlantic Argentine shortfin squid fishery. A recent scientific workshop in Vigo brought together representatives of the Spanish fleet and international partners to discuss improving data collection and developing a regional stock assessment. Participants agreed to establish a common database using available scientific and historical information.

Industry representatives also emphasized that seafood companies cannot address traceability and IUU fishing alone.

“Seafood companies invest in and implement tools to ensure legality, but industry action alone is not enough,” said David Comesaña, chair of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership’s Global Squid Supply Chain Roundtable and purchasing director at Congalsa Corporation.

Comesaña called for stronger government monitoring, import controls and international scientific cooperation alongside private-sector traceability efforts.

Panelists identified three priorities for the global squid sector over the next one to two years: improving data sharing and stock-assessment models through SPRFMO and in the Southwest Atlantic; expanding digital traceability and port-state controls to combat IUU fishing; and increasing cooperation among fishing fleets, coastal nations and importing markets.

Carmen González-Vallés, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership’s Supply Chain Roundtables director, said recent discussions show growing interest among industry participants in working together on the long-term sustainability of squid fisheries.

“The panel at Conxemar, and other recent progress in the global squid sector, has highlighted the common willingness among industry actors to cooperate on ensuring the long-term sustainability of squid resources,” González-Vallés said.