One of the leading products in fishery exports from our country this year is undoubtedly the giant squid. Exports of products made from this molluskare projected to reach US$ 500 million in 2018.
Alfonso Miranda, the president of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Southern Pacific Jumbo Flying Squid (Calamasur), which is composed of Peru, Mexico, Chile and Ecuador, claims that the giant squid, or 'pota', is the first species for human consumption with added value in Peru, and the one that offers the most work for the fishing sector.
Miranda also indicated that Peru contributes 45% of the approximately one million tons of giant squid that are caught in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and that the national consumption of this marine resource continues to increase in the most popular sectors.
Marine resource management in the region
The member countries of Calamasur were recently in Santiago, Chile, where they proposed a series of measures to make the management of giant squid sustainable in our region, with the aim of carrying out joint actions.
The head of Calamasur pointed out that there are unpredictable fluctuations regarding the location and density of giant squid, which is why he asked the Instituto del Mar del Perú (Imarpe) to carry out a study here, together with the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO).
"It is estimated that giant squid catches in the South Pacific can reach up to one million tons, although the exact figure cannot be determined due to the presence of the fleet of Asian countries whose catches may not be declared or reported," Miranda said.
Monitoring and Control in International Waters
At the annual meeting of the Calamasur committee in Santiago, Chile, biological knowledge of the giant squid, deficiencies in data exchange between countries and the lack of an agreed model for assessing the population of this marine resource were analyzed. In this regard, Alfonso Miranda expressed concern about the lack of monitoring and control of the fleet in international waters which encourages illegal fishing. He also noted that the most delicate aspect of this problem is the confrontation with unfair competition from the distant water fleet from China, Taiwan and South Korea.
About the giant squid
The giant squid (Dosidicus Gigas) has a short life cycle with a maximum longevity of two years, and the presence of at least two generations is detected simultaneously. This mollusk has a high growth rate and can reach a mantle length of 3 feet, 2 inches and a total weight of 82 lbs. It is a carnivorous species.
Sources: Andina / Gestión