Peru's "Giant Squid Operation III" first ship returns triumphantly! Paita Port welcomes a cargo full of squid samples.

According to the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE), on August 5 local time, the first fishing vessel participating in the scientific catch of "Giant Squid Operation III" arrived at Paita Port with a full load of samples, providing valuable data for the ongoing scientific assessment of squid resources.

The operation officially started on August 1, covering the sea area 0-100 nautical miles from the coast, aiming to comprehensively investigate the abundance, population structure, reproductive characteristics, and related marine environment of the "giant squid" – the American squid (Dosidicus gigas).

This year, squid fishing in Peru has been exceptionally prosperous. The initial quota for the year from January to August was 290,000 tons, which was increased to 304,000 tons in early June. However, due to the rapid fishing speed, the upper limit was reached on June 20, forcing a complete halt to fishing. Under this background, the scientific departments have accelerated the resource assessment to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of subsequent fishing quotas.

The first fishing vessel to return to port had a significant catch after four days of operation. It is expected that around August 10, other dispatched exploration fishing vessels will return to port one after another, at which time the comprehensive assessment results of this survey will be announced, and the next phase's quota and fishing arrangements will be decided. The industry generally believes that the survey results are of significant reference value for the Peruvian squid industry and the global squid supply pattern.

Meanwhile, the prices in major squid markets in China, such as Zhoushan and Shandong's Shidao and Longkou, have remained stable. This week, the prices of various specifications of Zhoushan offshore squid remained the same as last week, with large squid priced at 15,000-15,500 yuan/ton and small squid at 17,000-17,500 yuan/ton; the prices of Shidao frozen squid products and Longkou cooked squid products have not changed. This stable situation reflects that under the uncertainty of the global supply chain, the Chinese squid market is currently in a state of supply and demand balance.