Squid

The squid fishery targets chokka squid (Loligo vulgaris reynaudii), the most abundant squid in South Africa's coastal waters. Chokka squid is found between Namibia in the west and the Wild Coast in the east. Like all squid, they complete their lifecycle within two years. Sexual maturity is attained one year after hatching. Maximum length is 46 centimetres (male) and 28 centimetres (female). Chokka squid spawn on the seabed, usually in inshore areas, but sometimes in deep water on the Agulhas Bank. Spawning occurs year round, but is most prolific in the summer months. Chokka squid prey on crustaceans and fish.

The abundance of chokka squid fluctuates substantially. The effects of fluctuations in predation, prey availability and the physical environment are more acutely felt by squid because their short life span offers little inter-annual continuity. Presently, chokka squid abundance is at near-record levels, but experience suggests that substantial declines can be expected.

Chokka squid has been used as bait by linefishers for many years. The species is also landed as by-catch in the demersal trawl fisheries. In the 1960's and 1970's, the chokka squid resource was heavily exploited by foreign fleets. During this period, squid were caught predominantly by trawlers from the Far East. Foreign activity was phased out in the late 1970's and early 1980's following South Africa's declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone ("EEZ"). However, squid and other cephalopods, including a number of species of squid and octopus, continued to be taken by South African trawlers. The chokka by-catch in the demersal fishery fluctuates between 200 tons and 600 tons annually.

A dedicated jig fishery for chokka was initiated in 1984. The jigs are operated by handlines, making this a particularly labour-intensive fishery. The jig fishery registered its highest catch of approximately 12000 tons in 2003/2004. Average catches in the 1990's amounted to between 6 000 and 6 500 tons per annum. Squid is frozen at sea, usually in 10 kilogram blocks. It is generally landed at harbours between Plettenberg Bay and Port Alfred and exported whole to Europe. In 2002, when the South African Rand was at its lowest levels against the major currencies, the price of squid rose to almost R50 per kilogram. The average price of squid in 2004 was R30 per kilogram.

Between 1986 and 1988 a licensing system was introduced with a view to limiting the number of vessels participating in the fishery. The fishery is currently regulated in terms of a total applied effort ("TAE"). The squid fleet is divided into vessel categories and the maximum crew complement for the vessels in each category is fixed. Since 1988, the fishery has been closed once a year for four weeks in an attempt to counter the effects of "creeping effort". Increases in vessel efficiency and catch technology have led to increases in fishing efficiency. The landed catch is worth more than R180 million per year.

Sector Facts (FOR SECTOR DETAILS PLEASE EMAIL FEIKE AT ssonday@feike.co.za)



Sector Challenges: Feike?s analysis of the allocation of rights and policy objectives for this fishery indicates the following challenges:

• Managing the levels of effort creep in this fishery, including reducing the intensity of light use
• Preparing for performance measuring exercises. The first performance measuring exercise is scheduled for March 2007
• Increasing not only black ownership of the TAC through 'internal transformation' but also focusing increasingly on the empowerment of staff, women and the communities in which right holders operate.