Japanese Flying Squid

Second Choice
Scientific name
Todarodes pacificus
0
Japan
Korea
Production method
Wild-caught
Pole-and-lines
IUCN status
Least concern
Stock status

This species is fished mainly by Japan and Korea. Recent stock assessments show a decreasing trend with the biomass of the winter stock level low and the autumn stock level medium. The stock is overfished. 

Ecological effects

Mechanised lines and pole and lines (jigs) are deemed to be highly selective, therefor negative impacts on endangered, threatened, protected (ETP) species are not likely. In general, survival rates and discard rate are supposed to be low for pole and lines and jigs for squid fishery. Significant ecosystem changes caused by this fishery are unlikely. This harvest method has low impact on the habitat. 

Management

This fishery is under the management of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC). Korea has only recently started to decide on measures for the management of fisheries and the ecosystem. While the Japanese management is largely transparent, there is very little information on the Korean endorsement of NPFC decisions. Therefore, management is considered only partly effective.