November 2018 saw the launch of the Japanese flying squid fishery improvement project (FIP) after several years of working with partners to gather data on the fishery in the East China and yellow seas.
Since 2015, we have partnered with the not-for-profit organisation Ocean Outcomes (O2) to assess the status of the Japanese flying squid fishery in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea. Our initiative is supported by the SFP, the WWF and UK retailers M&S and Sainsbury’s. After conducting an MSC pre-assessment, we are leading the work with other International buyers to improve traceability and gather more fishery data and in November 2018, a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) was launched.
International buyers met at the Boston Seafood Expo in March 2018 along with China Aquatic Products Processing & Marketing Association (CAPPMA) to confirm their commitment to the project with the aim of launching a comprehensive FIP at the end of 2018.
Work to date has included follow up meetings in Brussels, presenting at the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership European Forum, holding a workshop in China on traceability and the FIP launch event in Qingdao. The workshop saw international buyers, Chinese processors and buyers, research institutes and fishing organisations discussing challenges within the fishery and ideas for improving traceability throughout the supply chain.
The ultimate goal of the FIP is to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.