IMARPE previously conducted a training session for shipowners, captains, and crew members of vessels

IMARPE and Historic Alliance with Artisanal Fishermen Get Giant Squid Operation IV Underway

PERU
Thursday, November 06, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

As of yesterday, the artisanal jigging fleet is directly integrated into the OCG-IV, a key scientific mission for the management and sustainability of the giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the Peruvian sea.

The Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE), an agency attached to the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), has officially started the Giant Squid Operation IV (OCG-IV), designated as an "integrated operation" due to the active and essential participation of the artisanal fishing fleet. The main objective is to study the behavior, abundance, distribution, and status of the giant squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as pota, in the Peruvian sea.

Details of the Integrated Scientific Operation

The operation began yesterday and will run until November 12, 2025. Vessels from the artisanal jigging fleet—a strategic partner in this mission—are now traveling across a vast maritime sector. The study area extends from the far north to the south of the Peruvian sea, covering a range of between 10 and 190 nautical miles from the coast. The operation stands out for its dynamic and adaptive nature, allowing for adjustments in the work plan based on the information collected onboard.

• Key Participation: Every vessel includes onboard observers whose scientific work, assisted by the fishermen, is aimed at obtaining direct information during the fishing operations.

Pescadores artesanales participando de los talleres con el IMARPE

Importance of the Giant Squid for Peru

The giant squid or pota is one of the main resources of Peruvian artisanal fishing and a pillar of the country's fishing exports. It has great demand in key markets in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its responsible exploitation generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs and is a crucial source of food and income for coastal communities.

The results of this operation will be fundamental for strengthening the responsible management of the resource, guaranteeing its sustainability, and contributing to food security and the economic development of Peru.

Training to Strengthen Science-Fishery Collaboration

Prior to the start of OCG-IV, IMARPE conducted an intensive training session that underscores the integrated nature of the operation. The training was directed at the vessel owners, masters, and crew members of the participating vessels and took place at the decentralized offices in Paita and Santa Rosa, using a hybrid format from IMARPE's Central Headquarters.

The training focused on strengthening knowledge about:

• Recording biological data.

• Use of technological tools.

• Application of standardized scientific protocols.

• Emphasis on the responsible completion of the assigned transects.

This process seeks to consolidate an effective collaboration between science and artisanal fishing, ensuring the quality of the information collected and aligning the work criteria of the scientific team and the fishermen, which is vital for the success of the Giant Squid Operation IV.

Related News:

• IMARPE and Artisanal Fishermen Join Forces to Strengthen Giant Squid Research

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