Poorly Regulated Squid Fisheries Are Jeopardizing Global Commitments to Safeguard the Ocean – The Pew Charitable Trusts

Unregulated Squid Fisheries in Asia Pacific: Challenges and Sustainable Development Goals

Squid is a globally traded seafood commodity, widely consumed in various forms from raw sushi in Tokyo to calamari in New York. However, much of the squid supply in the Asia Pacific region originates from unregulated fisheries characterized by weak accountability and opaque supply chains. This situation poses significant challenges to sustainable ocean management and aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14, which focuses on life below water.

Overview of Unregulated Squid Fisheries and Their Impact

Unlike other major commodities such as tuna or beef, tracing the origin and catch methods of squid is difficult due to the lack of regulation and transparency. A substantial portion of squid fisheries falls under illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with unregulated fishing defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as fishing activities that contravene regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) measures or occur in areas without applicable conservation laws.

Consequences of Unregulated Fishing

• Threats to population and habitat health.
• Risks to the safety and security of fishers.
• Challenges to ocean sustainability and biodiversity.
• Difficulty in assessing environmental and economic impacts.

Consumers’ growing awareness of these issues can drive pressure on governments to uphold their commitments under international frameworks and SDGs.

Global Governance and Sustainable Development Goals

Despite numerous international commitments, governance of squid fisheries has not kept pace with the expanding industrial fishing fleets. The United Nations’ adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, especially SDG 14, aimed to end overfishing and IUU fishing by 2020, a target that remains unmet. Funding for SDG 14 is the lowest among all SDGs, hindering progress.

International Frameworks Supporting Sustainable Fisheries

1. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1994): Provides overarching guidance for equitable and sustainable marine resource use.
2. United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA, 1995): Focuses on conservation and sustainable use of shared fish stocks through cooperation among States and RFMOs.
3. Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA, 2009): Legally binding treaty to prevent IUU fishing by controlling port access and promoting international cooperation.
4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF, 2022): Sets targets to halt biodiversity loss and protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.

These frameworks collectively support SDG 14 and other related SDGs by promoting sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, and international cooperation.

Challenges in Squid Fisheries Management

Squid fisheries represent a multibillion-dollar industry projected to grow significantly by 2032. However, 85% of squid fishing occurs in unregulated areas, often adjacent to coastal States’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs), undermining sustainable management and conservation efforts.

Insufficient Regulatory Measures

• Limited regulations by RFMOs such as the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation and the North Pacific Fisheries Commission.
• Poor enforcement of existing rules and lack of data-sharing or catch limits.
• Delayed development of stock assessments necessary for sustainable management.

This regulatory gap contradicts the mandates under UNFSA and compromises the achievement of SDG 14 targets.

Ecological and Socioeconomic Importance of Squid

Squid are vital to marine ecosystems as prey for whales, tuna, salmon, and other species, thus playing a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and the sustainability of global seafood markets.

• Unregulated fishing impedes accurate stock assessments, affecting small-scale fisheries and ecosystem balance.
• Consumers increasingly demand sustainable seafood, but lack of traceability in squid supply chains limits informed choices.
• Potential risks include fraud, waste, and labor abuses within unregulated fisheries.

Broader Implications of Unregulated Fisheries

The issues in squid fisheries reflect a larger global problem where governance often reacts to declines rather than proactively ensuring healthy fish stocks. This cycle leads to ecosystem damage, economic losses, and social challenges including unsafe working conditions and human rights abuses.

Recommendations for Strengthening Squid Fisheries Management

To align squid fisheries management with SDG 14 and other international commitments, The Pew Charitable Trusts recommends the following actions:

1. Flag States fulfill their obligations: Enhance oversight and control of fishing vessels to hold bad actors accountable.
2. Port States integrate unregulated fishing risks in their assessments: Ensure that only legally caught squid enters the market.
3. RFMOs prioritize stock assessments and data-sharing: Commit resources to scientific research and collaboration for effective squid management.
4. Adopt harvest strategies for squid species: Implement long-term management plans similar to those successful for tuna species.

These measures will support sustainable fisheries, protect marine biodiversity, and contribute to achieving SDG 14 by 2030.

Conclusion

Addressing the regulatory gaps in squid fisheries is critical for ocean sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on marine resources. By leveraging existing international frameworks and the Sustainable Development Goals, governments can take proactive steps to ensure responsible squid fisheries management and secure a sustainable future for marine ecosystems and global seafood supply chains.

References

1. International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, FAO, 2001
2. Goal 14: Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development, United Nations
3. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Convention on Biological Diversity, 2022
4. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
5. United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement Overview, United Nations
6. Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, FAO, 2009
7. Global Information Exchange System: Agreement on Port State Measures, FAO
8. FAO Global Assessment of Marine Fish Stocks, 2025
9. Fishing Through the Cracks: The Unregulated Nature of Global Squid Fisheries, Science Advances, 2023

Article by Andrew Clayton and Alessandro Aduso, The Pew Charitable Trusts’ international fisheries project.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article explicitly discusses SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. It highlights challenges such as unregulated squid fishing, overfishing, and the need for sustainable fisheries management.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (implied) – The article touches on consumer awareness and the importance of sustainable seafood choices, implying responsible consumption.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (implied) – The article mentions labor issues related to unregulated fishing, including poor working conditions and forced labor, linking to decent work concerns.
• SDG 15: Life on Land (indirectly) – Through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which aims to halt biodiversity loss, including marine biodiversity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

• SDG 14 Targets:
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), and implement science-based management plans to restore fish stocks.
  • Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas (implied through biodiversity conservation efforts).
  • Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology to improve ocean health and enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries.
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets:
  • Protect and conserve at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.
  • Minimize harm to fisheries and marine habitats (two of the 23 action-oriented targets relevant to fisheries).
• SDG 8 Target (implied):
  • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

• Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels: The article references FAO assessments showing over 35% of fish stocks are overfished, which is a key indicator for SDG 14.4.
• Extent of marine protected areas: The GBF target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 implies measuring the percentage of ocean area under protection.
• Percentage of fisheries covered by effective management plans: The article discusses the lack of management and stock assessments for squid fisheries, implying this as an indicator.
• Number of countries implementing the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA): The article mentions PSMA as a tool to combat IUU fishing, so the number of parties implementing it can serve as an indicator.
• Incidence of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities: Implied through discussions on unregulated squid fishing and enforcement challenges.
• Consumer awareness and demand for sustainable seafood: The article notes over 50% of consumers consider tuna sustainability important, implying consumer behavior as an indirect indicator.
• Labor conditions on fishing vessels: Implied through mentions of forced labor and poor working conditions, relevant to SDG 8.7.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pew.org