Market Squid Advisory Panel

ODFW convened a Market Squid Advisory Panel in October 2021 to assist the agency by providing input on modifying market squid fishery regulations.

The group of 10 panelists represent vessel operators and processors from along the West Coast.

Oregon’s market squid fishery has grown dramatically since 2016, coinciding with surveys showing increased market squid populations off the Oregon coast. The market squid fishery began in Oregon in the early 1980s but catch and fishing effort generally were low. In the past five years, the number of vessels has increased to 40 some years and catch has risen to more than 10 million pounds in 2020.

The increase in market squid fishing has brought economic benefits to coastal fishing communities. It has also created the need for additional management measures to minimize bycatch of Dungeness crab and other species, reduce interactions between squid nets and Dungeness crab pots, and ensure the squid population remains productive into the future. The advisory panel will help ODFW marine fishery managers develop solutions to these and other issues.

Meeting schedule

Purpose

The Market Squid Advisory Panel’s (MSAP) purpose is to:

• Provide ODFW with information and industry perspective on the effectiveness and impacts of existing and proposed fishery management measures.
• Identify emerging issues that may need to be addressed.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) requested evaluation of specific management measures in the near term: a control date for future development of a restricted participation permit system (i.e., limited entry), net size restrictions, and a vessel monitoring requirement. As long as there is a squid fishery in Oregon, the need for an advisory panel could continue for the foreseeable future.

Expectations

• Members are expected to represent perspectives of participants who are similarly situated, not limited to their own viewpoint. Members should reach out to contacts in their port, state, and/or sector to get broader input on topics under discussion and share that with the panel.
• MSAP meetings will be public and announced through a news release and on the ODFW website. Priority is given to discussion with members, with a brief opportunity for general public input at the end of each meeting if time allows.
• MSAP meetings will be held at least annually, with additional meetings as needed. Meetings will not be recorded, but ODFW staff will take minutes. Meeting summaries will be posted on this website.
• Members will have three-year terms and may be reappointed at ODFW’s discretion. ODFW may also solicit applications for new members at any time to address gaps in representation or emerging needs.

MSAP members