European squid

The stock of European squid is insufficiently studied. Biomass appears to be increasing in the English Channel, but trends in other areas are less favourable. Due to the lack of reliable data, it is unclear to what extent fishing is affecting the stock.

Fishing with pelagic otter trawls and purse seines has low bycatch, although marine mammals and seabirds may occasionally be caught. Discard rates are higher in pelagic otter trawl fisheries than in purse seine fisheries. Both fishing methods have little impact on the seabed. The CO₂ emissions of pelagic otter trawls are low. The risk of lost fishing gear is moderate for pelagic otter trawls and low for purse seines.

Management is partly effective. There is no specific management for squid. The fishery falls under the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy, but the lack of stock data makes it difficult to manage the fishery effectively. There is no FIP, and the fishery is not MSC-certified.

The stock of European squid is insufficiently studied in these areas. Biomass is declining slightly in the North Sea but shows an increasing trend in the English Channel. In the Mediterranean Sea, no reliable stock assessment is available. Due to limited data, the impact of fishing on the stock remains uncertain, although there are no clear indications of overfishing outside the Mediterranean.

Fishing with Scottish seines has a relatively limited impact on the seabed, but involves relatively high discards and occasionally catches vulnerable sharks and rays. A large proportion of the catch is likely to consist of species or stocks that are not, or are insufficiently, managed. Carbon emissions are low. Fishing with bottom trawls has a much greater impact. This method results in substantial bycatch, disturbs the seabed and may affect vulnerable species and habitats. Discards are high, and the survival rate of discarded animals is low.

Management is partly effective. Specific management for squid is largely lacking, and the available data are limited. The fishery falls under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, but measures addressing bycatch, discards and the protection of vulnerable species are still insufficiently effective. There is no FIP, and the fishery is not MSC-certified.