Japanese Flying Squid

Todarodes pacificus

1. What is it?

Japanese Flying Squid (Todarodes pacificus) are short-lived species that experience highly erratic recruitment and wide fluctuations of abundance. The Japanese flying squid, is one of the most heavily exploited squid species in the world. Stock status of Japanese flying squid is currently unknown and difficult to predict. Fishing mortality is currently above sustainable levels putting additional pressure on the stock.

2. How was it caught or farmed?

Jigging

Japanese flying squid are caught using jigs. The impact of the fishery on Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species is unknown. Bycatch is also uncertain but thought to be low as the fishery target dense schools of squids.

Boat-operated lift nets

Japanese flying squid are caught using boat-operated lift nets that are deemed to be highly selective, therefore negative impacts on Endangered, Threatened and Protected species are not likely. Further, the discard and survival rates are assumed to be low. The potential negative impact of these gears on the ecosystem is unknown and impact on the habitat is low.

Midwater trawl

Japanese flying squid are also caught using midwater trawl nets. Midwater trawling takes place in the pelagic zone between the seabed and surfaces. The impact of midwater trawl nets on Endangered, Threatened and Protected species is unknown. Bycatch and discards within the fishery is also unknown but thought to be low. Impact of midwater trawl nets on the benthic habitat is minimal.

3. Where is it from?

Japanese flying squid occurs mainly around and to the south of Japan and is fished by Japan, China, South and North Korea and Russia, with most of reported catches from Korea. Japanese flying squid are caught along the continental shelf and upper slope waters, from north of Japan into the Sea of Okhotsk and in the North Pacific heading east and imported into South Africa. There is no management system in place for jigging and the lack of reliable fishery data raises some concern given the high level of fishing. Management of the boat-operated lift nets in Chinese waters is considered not effective. For Midwater trawl management is considered to be marginally effective due to concerns surrounding the reliability of fishery data and the high level of fishing.

DON'T BUY

Fishing Type: Jigging

Origin: Imported - FAO 61

Jigs are coloured, plastic lures with barbs. They can be attached to a handline or in a series on a longline that is operated by machine. The jigs are dragged from fishing boats in a way that creates a jerking movement – making them appear alive. Jigging for squid generally happens at night using spotlights. Jigging has little impact on the environment and minimal bycatch.

Fishing Type: Boat-operated lift nets

Origin: China EEZ - FAO 61

Boat-operated lift nets are lift nets operated from boats. They are lifted either by hand or mechanical winches. They usually utilize several long poles attached to one side of the boat or surrounding the boat. Bait or a strong source of light is used to attract the fish. This gear comprises the bag net ("basnig") and the blanket net. The catching process is supported by lights depending on target species or simply some bait. This net is operated from the surface in the upper column at sea. Bycatch using this method is reported to be low but when lights are used, more species are attracted than expected (e.g., Cephalopods).

THINK TWICE

Fishing Type: Mid-water trawl

Origin: Imported - FAO 61

Trawl nets are dragged through the water between the seabed and the sea surface without touching the bottom. As such there is little impact on the bottom habitat and its species, although sometimes the nets do come into contact with the bottom. Mid-water trawls generally aim to catch large schools of a single fish so the incidental bycatch tends to be low.

Fishing Type: Boat-operated lift nets

Origin: Japan EEZ - FAO 61

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