Advancing understanding of squid population dynamics to develop strategies that will ensure stocks in North Sumatra are not overfished.
- Analysis of over 100 squid samples to better understand population dynamics and reproductive capacity
- Supporting the development of effective stock management measures
Start date: April 2023
£5,000
Student Research Grant
Awardee
Achmad Zamroni: IPB University, Indonesia
Fishery
Indonesia North Sumatra squid fishery (handline)
Sustainable squid management needed
The mitre squid (Uroteuthis chinensis) is a highly valuable resource in Indonesia, with almost half of all catch coming from the waters off northern Java and western Kalimantan. Exploitation of squid in this region has increased, but the impact on the stock is unknown.
A stock management strategy is urgently needed to prevent the squid from being overfished, protecting livelihoods and the wider ocean ecosystem. However, further information is needed on the stock and the structure of its population.
“The [increasing] exploitation of squid [is] causing several unfavourable impacts, not only for the species, the environment, its management but also to the society depending [on the fishery for] their livelihoods.”
PhD student at IPB Indonesia
Investigating squid spawning capacity
Achmad Zamroni, a PhD student at IPB University, will collect at least 100 squid samples from two different locations over a 12-month period. Data will be gathered on biological characteristics, including length, weight and reproductive maturity.
The MSC’s Student Research Grant will support Achmad’s analysis of this data. The findings will help estimate key factors such as reproductive capacity of the stock and when the spawning season takes place. This will allow the impacts of fishing on the stock to be estimated more accurately.
Developing a stock management strategy
The data provided by this this study could support the development of new management measures. This includes a harvest strategy, which will set rules to ensure stocks are fished within sustainable limits.
The development of these management strategies will also support the Indonesian Medan Squid fishery in making the improvements need to meet the MSC Fisheries Standard. This fishery is currently working towards sustainability through the In-Transition to MSC program and was awarded an Ocean Stewardship Fund in 2021. This funding is enabling the fishery to develop a fisheries management plan and carry out research into the role of squid as a food source for other species in the region.
-spotlight.tmb-thumb300.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=361a9494_2)
