Creating an Informed Implementation Strategy for Automatic Squid Jigging through Knowledge Exchange
Three longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) which make up a large part of the annual landing of squid in the Southeast New England. Photo credit: Roger Hanlon
general description:
The coastal longfin squid fishery is one of the most important in the Northeast, with Rhode Island accounting for 50% of the annual catch. Traditionally, the squid harvesting industry in Southern New England has been done using large otter trawls. Other countries with well established squid fisheries, however, use automatic jigging systems to fish for squid. By piloting an automatic squid jigging fishery we seek to continue this industries profitability with increased squid quality while decreasing the impact on the environment and reducing bycatch utilizing a more targeted approach. This method also has the potential to be utilized within wind farms or other areas closed to trawling due to potential bycatch concerns. Through our pilot project and conversations with members of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council we have decided to seek expertise from the well established Japanese squid fishery to help design the next steps of automatic squid jigging development.
project team:
EX-2N automatic squid jigging machine we will be using for this study.
Jig caught squid and individual jigs.
Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Matt Rodriguez - Project Lead
N. David Bethoney
The Town Dock
Jeff Wise, Captain, F/V Lightning Bay
Katie Almeida, Fishery Policy Analyst
Mike Roderick, Director of Purchasing
Japan Fishing Machine, LLC.
Keiichiro (Kei) Hamano, CEO
Japanese master squid fisherman
Knowledge Exchange Program:
The Japanese squid jigging industry is one of the oldest and most well established fisheries specifically targeting squid using this approach. Through a mutual third party, we have engaged in an ongoing partnership with Japan Fishing Machine LLC that will enhance the likelihood of establishing successful automatic squid jigging here in the United States. We have invested in automatic jigging machines used by Japanese fishermen and will be working under the guidance of Japanese squid fishing masters. By working directly with these masters here in Rhode Island we will gain the best possible experience and insight to successful automatic squid jigging techniques that we will emulate, apply, and share with our own industry. This will ideally allow us create a development plan that will be vital to future at-sea gear trials efforts as it will assist in refining fishing techniques and practices to increase catch rates as well as provide targets for economic viability.
