IUU Squid Fishing Resource Library

Global Squid Fisheries

General industry and species trends

• Global Market Insights. 2024. “Squid Market Size & Share, Industry Forecasts Report 2034”. 
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service. 2024. “2024 China Fishery Products Report”.
• Heffernan, O. 2023. “Squid Fisheries Are Booming in a Regulatory Vacuum”. Dialogue Earth. 
• Seto, K. L., Miller, N. A., Kroodsma, D., Hanich, Q., Miyahara, M., Saito, R., Boerder, K., Tsuda, M., Oozeki, Y., and Urrutia, O.S. 2023. “Fishing Through the Cracks: The Unregulated Nature of Global Squid Fisheries.” Science Advances.
• Ospina-Alvarez, A., de Juan, S., Pita, P., Ainsworth, G. B., Matos, F. L., Pita, C., & Villasante, S. 2022. A Network Analysis of Global Cephalopod Trade. Scientific Reports. 
• Pauly, D., Ansell, M., Chu, E., Emam, W., Franceschelli, N., Jiang, C., Krueger, K., Palomares, M. L. D., Parducho, V. A., Peacock, N., Sanz, M., & Tong, S. 2022. “Role and Impact of China on World Fisheries and Aquaculture”. European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies, December 2022.
• Roa-Ureta, R.H. and Wiff, R. 2022. “First International Scientific Workshop for the Argentine Shortfin Squid: Report of Work of Sessions and Way Forward”. Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
• Bustos, E. 2021. “Squid Smarts: 5 Things You Need to Know about Jumbo Squid Fishing in the Southeast Pacific Ocean”. Global Fishing Watch.
• Yu, W., Wen, J., Chen, X., & Liu, B. 2021. “El Niño–Southern Oscillation Impacts on Jumbo Squid Habitat: Implications for Fisheries Management”. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 
• Lowman, B. A., Jones, A. W., Pessutti, J. P., Mercer, A. M., Manderson, J. P., & Galuardi, B. 2021. “Northern Shortfin Squid (Illex illecebrosus) Fishery Footprint on the Northeast US Continental Shelf”. Frontiers in Marine Science. 
• Zhao, C., Shen, C., Bakun, A., Yan, Y., & Kang, B. 2021. “Purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the South China Sea: Growth, resources and association with the environment”. Water. 

Distant-Water and Industrial Fishing Expansion

Coverage of large-scale distant-water squid fleets, fleet expansions, and geopolitical implications.

• Serrichio, S. 2024. “The Never-Ending Story: The Massive Arrival of Foreign Vessels Fishing Off the Argentine Sea Has Begun.” Infobae. 
• Planet Tracker. 2024. “Fishful Thinking: Solving China’s Distant-Water Challenges.” 
• Urbina, I., McKenzie, P. and Schvartzman, M. 2024. “Taking Over from the Inside: China’s Growing Reach Into Local Waters.” The Outlaw Ocean Project.
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2024.  Tide of Injustice: Exploitation and Illegal Fishing on Chinese Vessels in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
• Arony, E., Vivar, I. and Benevente, S. 2024. “Dynamics of the Distant-Water Squid Fleet in the Southeast Pacific Ocean (2018-2023).” Artisonal. 
• Oceana. 2023. “Looking Beyond the Horizon: China’s Intense Fishing Efforts Threaten Galápagos Islands and Global Seafood Supply Chain.” 
• Global Fishing Watch. 2023. “Data Advances Understanding of Global Squid Fishing Fleets.” .
• Schatz, V. and McCreath, M. 2022. “EEZ-Adjacent Distant-Water Fishing as a Global Security Challenge: An International Law Perspective.” Hybrid CoE Working Paper.
• Brush, A., and Dury-Agri, J.R. 2022. “Who’s Controlling the Distant Water Squid Fishing Fleet?” C4ADS. 
• Custodio, L.M. 2021. “Artisanal Squid Fishing in Peru Threatened by International Fleets.” Wilson Center. 

Illicit Fishing Strategies and Behavior

How illegal fishing occurs (such as AIS spoofing, identity fraud, reflagging, fishing in closed areas, and illicit ownership trends).

• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2024. “Zhejiang Ocean Family Co. Ltd and Its Fishy Business.”
• Joint Analytical Cell (JAC). 2023. “Fisheries Intelligence Report.” 
• TMT and C4ADS. 2023. “Case Studies: Ultimate Beneficial Ownership.” 
• Young, L., Haenlein, C., and Evans, G. 2023. “Future IUU Fishing Trends in a Warming World: A Global Horizon Scan.” Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
• Naujokas, S. 2023. “SeaShells: Developing Beneficial Ownership Transparency in the Fishing Industry.” C4ADS. 
• Park, J., Van Osdel, J., Turner, J., Farthing, C. M., Miller, N. A., Linder, H. L., Ortuño Crespo, G., Carmine, G., and Kroodsma, D. A. 2023. “Tracking Elusive and Shifting Identities of the Global Fishing Fleet.” Science Advances.
• Goldaracena, S. 2023. “Documento Informativo de la ITF: La Pesca en La Milla 201”. International Transport Workers’ Federation.
• Keatinge, T., and Lauren Y. 2022. “Swimming in Dirty Money: It’s Time to Dive Below the Surface.” Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). 
• Financial Transparency Coalition. 2022. “Fishy Networks: Uncovering the Companies and Individuals Behind Illegal Fishing Globally.” 
• Welch, H., Clavelle, T., White, T. D., Cimino, M. A., van Osdel, J., Hochberg, T., Kroodsma, D., and Hazen, E. L. 2022. “Hot Spots of Unseen Fishing Vessels.” Science Advances. 
• Ramirez, M.F. and Ford, A. 2022. “Plunder and Danger on Argentina’s Sea Shelf.” InSight Crime.
• Windward. 2022. “Illuminating IUU Fishing: Focus on Regional Squid Support Hubs and Fleets.” 
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2022. “The Ever-Widening Net: Mapping the Scale, Nature, and Corporate Structures of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing by the Chinese Distant-Water Fleet.” 
• Belhabib, Dyhia, and Philippe Le Billon. 2022. “Fish Crimes in the Global Oceans.” Science Advances. 
• Valentine, M. 2021. “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Vanishing Vessels Along Argentina’s Waters.” Oceana. 
• TMT. 2021. “Squid Fishing in the Northwest Indian Ocean – Clear as Ink.” 
• Petrossian, G. A., Sosnowski, M., Miller, D., & Rouzbahani, D. (2020). Flags for Sale: An Empirical Assessment of Flag of Convenience Desirability to Foreign Vessels. Marine Policy, 116, 103937. 
• UNODC. 2019. “Rotten Fish: A Guide on Addressing Corruption in the Fisheries Sector.” 

Transshipment, Ports, and Supply Chain

How illegally caught squid enters the legal seafood market through at-sea transshipment, ports, and fraudulent documentation.

• C4ADS. 2025. “Keeping the lights on. Uncovering the Networks Enabling the Distant Water Squid Fleet”. 
• Bengtsson, F., Jouffray J.B., Nakayama, S., Zhivkoplias, E., Wabnitz, C.C., Blasiak, R., Selig, E.R., and Österblom, H. 2024. “Who Owns Reefer Vessels? Uncovering the Ecosystem of Transshipment in Fisheries.” Science Advances. 
• Petrossian, G. A., Pires, S. F., Spencer, M.D., and Cohen, N.D. 2024. “An Empirical Assessment of Seaports as Facilitators of FOC-Flagged Transshipment Landings.” Crime Science.
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2023. “Technical Briefing for Korea’s Implementation of the PSMA.” 
• Pew Charitable Trusts. 2023. “Despite Progress, Illegal Catch Continues to Reach the Market.” 
• Hosch, G., Miller, N.A., Yvergniaux, Y., Young, E., and Huntington, T. 2023. “IUU Safe Havens or PSMA Ports: A Global Assessment of Port State Performance and Risk.” Marine Policy. 
• Pew Charitable Trusts. 2023. “Most Global At-Sea Transshipment Involves a Small Group of Key Carriers.” 
• Sullivan, C., Valentine, M. 2023. “No Questions Asked: Nearly 60% of U.S. Seafood Imports Escape Scrutiny”. Oceana.
• Mosnier, F. 2022. “How to Trace $600 Billion: Traceability Could Add 60% to Global Seafood Profits.” Planet Tracker. 
• Alarco, D.M. 2022. “Panama Lending Flag to Most Destructive Fishing Ships.” InSight Crime. 

• Selig, E. R., Nakayama, S., Wabnitz, C. C. C., Österblom, H., Spijkers, J., Miller, N. A., Bebbington, J., & Sparks, D. 2022. “Revealing Global Risks of Labor Abuse and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.” Nature Communications. 
• Petrossian, G. A., Barthuly, B., & Sosnowski, M. C. (2022). Identifying central carriers and detecting key communities within the global fish transshipment networks. Frontiers in Marine Science. 
• TMT, Pew Charitable Trusts, GFW, and IMCSN. 2022. “Enhanced Regulation, Monitoring and Control of Global Transshipment Activities.” 
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2020. Transshipment: A Closer Look. 
• Boerder, K., Miller, N.A., and Worm, B. 2018. “Global Hot Spots of Transshipment of Fish Catch at Sea.” Science Advances. 

Policy, Regulation, and Compliance

Global and national policies, trade regulations, and enforcement mechanisms shaping the fight against IUU fishing.

• US Government. 2025. “U.S. Government Trade Strategy to Combat Forced Labor – Making Trade a Force for Good by Addressing Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains” US Government
• China General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 2024 “Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on increasing support for offshore fishing enterprises”. China Government
• Peru Government. 2024. “Supreme decree which established means to prevent, discourage, and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing” Peru Government
• European Commission. 2024. “Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.”
• NOAA Fisheries. 2024. “NOAA Fisheries Announces 2024-2026 Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Specifications.” NOAA Fisheries. 
• EU IUU Fishing Coalition. 2024. “How Beneficial Ownership Transparency Can Help Identify EU Nationals Who Profit from Foreign Illegal Fishing Activities.” IUU Watch. 
• Pelcastre, J. 2024. “Chinese Fleet Defies Peruvian Port Regulations.” Diálogo Américas. 
• Trent, S. 2023. “Europe Already Has the Tools It Needs to End Forced Labour.” Land Climate. 
• Bunwaree, P. 2023. “The Illegality of Fishing Vessels ‘Going Dark’ and Methods of Deterrence.” International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2022. “Murky Waters: The Urgent Case for Transparency in Fisheries.” Environmental Justice Foundation. 
• World Trade Organization (WTO). 2022. “Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.” 
• Mundy, V. 2018. “The Impact of the EU IUU Regulation on Seafood Trade Flows: Identification of Intra-EU Shifts in Import Trends Related to the Catch Certification Scheme and Third Country Carding Process.” Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and WWF. 
• Global Fishing Watch. n.d. “Transshipment Policies by Regional Fisheries Management Organization.”

Forced Labor, Crew Abuses, and Human Rights Violations

Labor exploitation, forced work on fishing vessels, human trafficking, and abuses in processing plants.

• Goldaracena, S., Almada, S. 2025. “Labour Exploitation in Distant Water Fishing Vessels Registered with the SPRFMO: The Importance of Comprehensive Risk Analysis Prior to Arrival at Port. International Transport Workers’ Federation”.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium. 2024. “Squid SSRT Risk Profile: China”. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). 2024. “Strengthening Protections in the Supply Chain: Addressing Labor Risks in Peru’s Fishing Industry”.
• Oceana. 2024. “Never-Ending Voyages: Vessels Spending Years at Sea.” 
• Carrere, M. 2023. “Peru’s Ports Allow Entry of Chinese Ships Tied to Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor.” Mongabay. 
• Daniels, A., Kohonen, M., Aroni, E., and Thiam, M. 2023. “Dark Webs: Uncovering Those Behind Forced Labour on Commercial Fishing Fleets.” Financial Transparency Coalition. 
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “Trapped on Chinese Squid-Fishing Ships, Crews Face Beatings, Malnutrition and More.” Los Angeles Times. 
• Urbina, I. 2023. “A Fleet Prone to Captive Labor and Plunder.” The Outlaw Ocean Project. 
• Urbina, I. 2023. “The Crimes Behind the Seafood You Eat.” The New Yorker.
• Urbina, I. 2023. “The Uyghurs Forced to Process the World’s Fish.” The New Yorker. 
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). 2023. “The Broken Barrier: How Illegal Fishing and Human Rights Abuses in Korea’s Fisheries Imports Go Undetected.” 
• García Lozano, A., Pino Shibata, J., Jeri, J. C., Krogh-Poulsen, B., Decker-Sparks, J. L., Finkbeiner, E., Fitzpatrick, J., & Kittinger, J. N. 2023. “Decent Work in the Artisanal Jumbo Flying Squid Fishery (Dosidicus gigas) in Peru”. University of Washington.
• Robbins, S. 2022. “At Uruguay’s Port of Montevideo, a Deadly Circle of Fishing and Labor Abuse.” InSight Crime. 
• Greenpeace. 2021. “Forced Labour at Sea: The Case of Migrant Fishers in the Taiwanese Distant Water Fishing Industry”.

Scientific Innovations and Sustainable Fisheries Management

Research breakthroughs, new monitoring techniques, stock assessments, genetic tools, and best practices for sustainable fishery management.

• Basurto, X., Gutierrez, N.L., Franz, N. et al. 2025. “Illuminating the Multidimensional Contributions of Small-Scale Fisheries. Nature”. Nature.
• Pardo‐Gandarillas, M. C., Morales, P., Catalán, J., Carrasco, S. A., Hernández, S., Oyarzún, P. A., Wiff, R., & Ibáñez, C. M. 2024. “Genetic Population Structure of Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the Southeastern Ocean and Its Implication for Fisheries Management”. Fisheries Management and Ecology.
• Van Santen, G. 2024. “Fisheries Governance: The Search for Effective Management and the Illusion of Control.” Global Perspectives. 
• Gleadall, I. G., Moustahfid, H., Sauer, W.H.H., et al. 2023. “Towards Global Traceability for Sustainable Cephalopod Seafood.” Marine Biology. 
• Mercer, A., Moser, J., Swiader Jr., T., and Salois, S. 2023. “Design, Implementation, and Results of a Collaborative Shortfin Squid (Illex illecebrosus) Electronic Size Monitoring Pilot Project.” NOAA Technical Memorandum. 
• Roa-Ureta, R., & Wiff, R. 2023. “Regional Assessment of the Jumbo Squid in the South-Eastern Pacific with Peruvian, Chilean and Asian Fleets Data and Impacts of El Niño Environmental Cycle: 1969 to 2020.” South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) 11th Scientific Committee Meeting, SC11-Obs03.
• Ainsworth, G.B., et al. 2023. “Dataset: Global Market Drivers for Sustainable Cephalopod Food Systems.” Dryad.
• Labraa-Cornejo, R., Alonso-Poblacin, E., Gozzer-Wuest, R., Ferreiro-Velasco, P., & Roa-Ureta, R. 2023. “Engaging artisanal fishers and processors from coastal states into RFMO discussions lead to agenda shifts toward science-based management. The case of the Jumbo Flying Squid fishery and the role of CALAMASUR”. Ocean & Coastal Management.
• Gozzer-Wuest, R., Alonso-Poblacioin, E., Rojas-Perea, S., Roa-Ureta, R. 2022. “What Is at Risk Due to Informality? Economic Reasons to Transition to Secure Tenure and Active Co-Management of the Jumbo Flying Squid Artisanal Fishery in Peru.” Marine Policy. 

Videos on Issues Facing Squid Fisheries

• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2024. “The North Koreans Behind Global Seafood.” 
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “The Chishan Group: Investigating Shandong Squid.” 
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “The New Nearshore Supremacy: China’s Growing Reach Into Local Waters.” 
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “China: Seafood Superpower.” 
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “Uyghurs in Seafood.”  
• The Outlaw Ocean Project. 2023. “When Squid Became Popular In The U.S.” 
• Ou, E., and Miller, W.N. 2023. “Squid Fleet: The Brutal Lives of China’s Industrial Fishermen.” The New Yorker. 
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2022. “Crimes in the Fisheries Sector.”