Understanding northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) stock structure and its fisheries to guide science-based management actions

Funding period: 2022-2025
Lead: Krista Baker
Total GRDI funding: $451,936

In 2021, squid catches were the largest recorded in decades, with Atlantic Canadian landings valued at more than $15 million and there is growing international pressure to manage squid stocks within Canadian boundaries. However, this data-poor stock lacks basic fishery information leaving Resource Management with limited science-based management options. This project aims to use genomic techniques to provide insights into squid stock structure throughout their range coupled with new methods (e.g., online surveys, dockside visits, commercial index harvesters, detailed fishery sampling) to enhance our knowledge of the spatio-temporal dynamics of effort, catch, and catch composition in fisheries. The findings will be used to provide science advice for the development of management options by providing input on currently unanswered questions (e.g., What is the estimated CPUE based on different gears? How long is the season? What is the appropriate management scale? What temporal considerations should be considered for management options?).