CFRF Squid Jigging Research Program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) squid jigging program is a multi-project initiative that aims to evaluate and advance automatic squid jigging as an alternative to traditional trawl fisheries in Southern New England. Commercial squid jig fisheries exist in other parts of the world and has the potential to improve environmental sustainability, reduce bycatch, and maintain economic viability in the region’s important longfin squid fishery.

Our pilot project tested automatic jigging gear aboard commercial vessels. Based on feedback from industry members and the project team, it was concluded that more trials were required to better understand how to apply this technology to local squid species.

Building on the pilot project, the program expanded through complementary efforts that support the adoption and refinement of the technology. A knowledge exchange project connects U.S. fishermen with experienced Japanese jigging experts to transfer best practices and improve performance, while a gear lending program enables fishermen to independently test jigging machines and contribute real-world data. Finally, a fishery resilience project integrates these lessons to optimize catch efficiency and demonstrate how jigging can sustain fishing opportunities in emerging offshore wind areas and other restricted zones.

Together, these projects form a coordinated pathway from research and experimentation to industry adoption, positioning automatic squid jigging as a more selective, adaptable, and resilient harvesting method for the future.

Learn More About Our squid jigging research Projects:

Our squid jigging research program is composed of several different projects. Check out the pages below to learn more about each of these projects.

We are grateful to the funding agencies who have supported this program: