High squid levels prompt calls to speed up fishery pilot

Record levels of squid being found in Shetland's inshore waters have prompted calls from the fishing industry to speed up the introduction of a pilot scheme to catch the species.

The Shetland Inshore Fish Survey 2025, published by UHI Shetland, has been looking at catch rates and fish populations within waters and nursery habitats.

The lead author of the report on fish numbers, Dr Shaun Fraser, told BBC Radio Shetland the latest findings showed a pilot project could be worth taking forward.

The Scottish government said work had already started on a trial with efforts being made to establish what areas it would cover and which inshore vessels were willing to take part.

Currently there is a pause on targeting inshore squid in Scotland, which originated as an unintended consequence of the National Cod Avoidance Plan (NCAP), introduced in 2021.

Its purpose was to limit catches of cod, and meant that vessels could not target a fishery using nets with a mesh size smaller than 120mm (4.7in) - which they would use to catch squid.

Fraser said the annual survey, which has been running for the last 15 years and covers numerous locations, showed stocks were plentiful.

"The 2025 results indicated that the squid catch rate (by weight) on shallow grounds was the highest yet recorded, surpassing record levels recorded in previous recent years," he said.

He said it was "not unlikely" that climate change had played a part in the rise of squid numbers and last year had seen "particularly warm" sea temperatures in the area.

He added that, in his view, there was "strong scientific merit" in taking forward a pilot project.

The survey has caught the attention of the Shetland Fishermen's Association (SFA), which wants to see a pilot scheme introduced.

Executive officer Sheila Keith said it was working hard to support the Scottish government to meet its requirements to re-establish the inshore squid fishery, which was an important diversification opportunity.

"We hear a lot about how ministers support the industry, and here is a very clear practical example of a step that can be taken to show that they do," she said.

The Scottish government said work had already started on a trial.

It said that would provide "robust data" on the potential impact of any squid fishing and evidence to ensure it balanced sustainability with industry benefits.

You can hear the full interview with Dr Fraser in Good Evening Shetland on BBC Sounds.