Cape Hope Squid

Cape Hope squid (Loligo reynaudii) are fast-growing species that spawn all year round and are sensitive to changing environmental conditions. The stock assessment was updated in 2019 indicating a continued increase in biomass. Fishing effort, although increasing, has been below recommended TAE levels. Cape Hope squid are targeted by the jig fishery and caught as bycatch in both the inshore and offshore demersal trawl fishery

2. How was it caught or farmed?

Cape Hope squid are caught using a method known as jigging. Jigs are either handheld using a handline and a jig (a coloured plastic lure with barbs covering the bottom) or they are series of baited hooks attached to longlines that are dragged at irregular intervals creating a jerking movement (bait appears to be moving). Jigging for squid generally takes place at night with bright spotlights that also attract species to the boat. It is a highly selective method with little impact on the environment and bycatch tends to be very small. There is a possibility of benthic damage through the use of anchors and chains but this is not anticipated to be significant.

Cape Hope squid are caught as bycatch using trawl nets that are dragged along the seabed at depths up to the 110 m isobath or 20 nautical miles from the coast. This type of trawling is known to damage the seabed; however, the extent and impact of damage remain unknown. Trawling is not a very selective fishing method and a number of other species are often caught in the nets (fish, sharks, and rays). Substantial effort has been made to reduce seabird deaths through the use of tori lines (bird-scaring lines) and work is underway to better understand impacts on endangered, threatened, or protected species.

Cape Hope Squid squid are caught using trawl nets that are dragged along the seabed at depths typically ranging from 110m to 800 m (known as “demersal trawl nets”). This type of trawling is known to damage the seabed; the extent and impact of damage remain unknown. There are efforts underway to better understand impacts, recovery potential, and to mitigate damage. Trawling is an unselective fishing method and several other species are often caught in the nets (fish, sharks, and rays). Substantial effort has been made to reduce seabird interaction using tori lines. Efforts are also underway to better manage and understand the impacts on key bycatch and sensitive marine species.

3.Where is it from?

Cape Hope squid are distributed from Namibia to the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape. The majority of jigged squid is caught between Plettenberg Bay and Port Alfred. The fishery is managed in the form of a Total Allowable Effort (TAE) limit, closed season (four weeks to three months) and a number of permit limitations on vessel and crew size. Management is considered to be partly effective.

Cape Hope squid are caught as bycatch in the inshore trawl fishery for hake (MSC certified) and sole mainly on the Agulhas Bank off the South Coast. Management is considered to be largely effective and mainly focused on the target species (hake and sole) in the form of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and permit limitations. Additional measures in place include precautionary catch limits and fishing only on historical fishing grounds. More effort is required to improve at-sea scientific observation of fishing activities to better understand ecosystem impacts.

Cape Hope squid are caught along the coast of South Africa. There are some ecosystem-based management measures in place such as measures to limit mortalities of seabirds, precautionary catch limits on certain species, limit targeting of other by-catch species, and various spatial restrictions (i.e. fishing within the historical trawl “footprint”, no fishing in MPAs, the seasonal closure to protect spawning kingklip aggregations, and depth/distance from the coast restrictions). Management is largely effective and mainly focused on the target species (hake) in the form of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and permit limitations.