Industrial fishing in the spotlight

Greenpeace report lifts lid on industrial fishing ahead of major UN ocean conference

As governments meet at the UN to discuss the fate of the world’s oceans[1], a new Greenpeace International report lifts the lid on a rapidly growing and largely unregulated squid fishing industry[2].

The report, Squids in the Spotlight, uncovers the vast scale of the global squid fishery, which has grown over 10-fold since 1950 to almost 5 million tonnes annually in the last decade. This industrial fishery is jeopardising marine ecosystems around the world.

Current demand for the species has no historical precedent, with some areas experiencing an 800% increase in the number of active squid fishing vessels in just the last five years. Armadas of over 500 vessels have descended on the borders of national waters to plunder the ocean, with the collective lights of these armadas visible from space[3].

Campaigners are calling for a strong Global Ocean Treaty, which could prevent similar situations in future and will be crucial to stopping future fisheries from expanding with restrictions.

Will McCallum of Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans campaign said:

“I’ve seen some of these squid fleets out on the open ocean – at night the vessels are lit up like football stadiums and it looks like the sea is a mass of industry. Our oceans are being industrialised: beyond national waters it’s often a free-for-all. The lack of control over the huge and growing squid fisheries worldwide is a glaring example of why the current rules to protect the oceans are failing.

“This ocean conference is too important to be a talking shop: we need urgent action to protect the biggest ecosystem on Earth. We all rely on the oceans whether we know it or not: to help tackle climate change, ensure healthy ecosystems and to ensure food security and livelihoods for millions around the world. We urgently need a strong Global Ocean Treaty that allows us to create a network of ocean sanctuaries around the world and put the brakes on the expanding industrialisation of our global commons.”

Squid are a vital species. As both predator and prey, they sustain entire food webs, meaning declining populations will have catastrophic consequences for ocean wildlife and coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihoods and food security. However, most squid fisheries remain almost entirely unregulated, with fishing vessels operating with little scrutiny or monitoring of their catch.

There is currently no specific regulatory or monitoring system in place to monitor the global squid trade. In 2019, just three nations were responsible for 60% of the global squid catch.

Governments are meeting from today to negotiate towards a Global Ocean Treaty for international waters, which cover almost half of the planet (43%). Almost 5 million people have backed Greenpeace’s campaign for a treaty, and for the creation of a network of ocean sanctuaries – areas free from harmful human activity – across at least a third of the world’s oceans by 2030.