Falkland Islands closes winter loligo squid fishery on conservation grounds

The Falkland Islands Government’s Fisheries Department issued a notice of closure for the winter loligo squid fishery season on August 6, citing conservation and long-term sustainability concerns after a revised scientific assessment showed a rapidly declining stock biomass.

The fishery, which opened on July 27, initially had a mean biomass estimate of just over 29,735 tonnes. However, after initial catches dropped quickly, this estimate was revised downwards to 21,695 tonnes. Continued fishing has since caused the mean biomass estimate to fall further to 14,722 tonnes, with a lower confidence interval value of only 6,539 tonnes, prompting the government to issue the closure notice.

The government stated that the closure is subject to ongoing assessment of catches and that the final date may change based on scientific analysis.

Work is now underway between the fishing industry and the Fisheries Department to identify a timeframe and a vessel for a subsequent scientific survey. The results of that survey will be used to re-assess the biomass and will inform the decision on whether the season will re-open or remain closed for the remainder of the period.

The temporary closure follows two consecutive years of disappointing second loligo seasons in the Falkland Islands.