A report reveals that giant squid fishing is facing ecological and social crises due to the presence of Chinese fleets exploiting legal gaps in the Southeast Pacific.
A recent investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has uncovered significant threats to giant squid fishing in the Southeast Pacific, primarily due to the activities of Chinese fleets. These fleets are taking advantage of legal loopholes and relaxed regulations, pushing the squid fishery into an ecological and social crisis. The report highlights that this situation endangers both artisanal and industrial fishing processes in the region, which bear immense economic significance for Ecuador, Chile, and Peru.
The giant squid fishery has been a cornerstone of the economies in these countries, with the Southeast Pacific seeing more than 1.2 million tonnes of squid landed in 2023 alone. Over the last 25 years, Peru, China, and Chile have dominated the squid market, accounting for over 99% of all reported landings. Ecuador reported a modest 3,028 tonnes of squid landings in that same year, indicating a troubling situation amid growing illegal fishing incursions, particularly from foreign fleets.
The implications of this situation are dire, not only for local fishers who depend on squid for their livelihoods but also for the ecological balance of the region. The combination of human rights abuses against local fishing communities and environmental degradation poses pressing challenges that necessitate immediate policy intervention from both national governments and international bodies to secure sustainable fishing practices and protect human rights in the region.
