The Peruvian Ministry of Production recently announced the fishing quota for giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) in 2024, with the total volume set at 499,683 tons, a 14% decrease from previous years.

This adjustment reflects the Peruvian government’s determination to ensure the sustainable use of squid resources.

Peru's giant squid fishing industry has been in a downturn in recent months, and this year's fishing season is expected to end on December 31. According to a report from the Peruvian Marine Institute (Imarpe), the adjustment of fishing quotas is based on comprehensive consideration of biomass, fishing status, environmental factors and resource availability.

Once the fishing volume reaches the set limit, or the environmental biological conditions change significantly, Imarpe will make timely recommendations to stop fishing.

In Peru, artisanal fishing boats (referring to fishing boats not exceeding 15 meters in length) must be registered with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) in accordance with regulations and operate within delineated fishery management areas.

At the same time, these fishing vessels are also required to submit detailed fishing record registration forms to Imarpe professionals at authorized unloading points to ensure compliance and transparency of fishing activities.

During the recent Barcelona exhibition, some suppliers reported that the production of Peruvian squid has been extremely sluggish in the past 9 to 10 months. They noted that fishing by Asian vessels in international waters may have played a role in Peruvian production. In addition, environmental conditions are also considered to be one of the important factors affecting Peruvian squid fishing.

For example, rising sea temperatures caused by El Niño last year had an adverse impact on the anchovy and squid seasons. Therefore, many Peruvian exhibitors are unable to give clear market quotations due to insufficient supply of raw materials.