MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Giant squid is back in the northern coast of Peru; fishermen relieved

Giant squid started appearing in Paita, Bayóvar, Talara and Yacila, small to medium sized specimen but good quality, good texture and good color.

Fishing for giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) finally seems to be improving in northwest Peru, which has brought some peace to Paita and other northern ports that rely heavily on this product. The lack of the species has been of great concern to the people of the area, but since last week the cephalopod has slowly reappeared in this part of the Peruvian coast. Now they expect the improvement is sustained and not only a temporary relief.

 Traders were forced to bring squid from Chiclayo and they also managed to obtain small squid and potilla of less than 1 kg. But last weekend, giant squid started appearing in Paita, Bayóvar, Talara and Yacila, a small to medium sized specimen having good quality, good texture and good color.

So far, only half the fleet has gone to the sea because fishermen argue that they have many expenses and do not want to risk losing.

On one day this week about 550 tons were caught, but the squid was small and very expensive.

In the south, meanwhile, they are capturing about 700 tons per day in Ilo, specimens that are small, medium and somewhat large in size.

Industry sources said that in Pucusana district, province of Lima, catches of giant squid have allowed plants in Pisco and in El Callao to restart processing. Likewise processing continues Chimbote and in Chiclayo

On Thursday July 14 trading for fresh (small) squid closed at Peruvian New Soles, PEN, 3.00/3.10, while small and medium sized squid from the South reached PEN 2.70/2.80. In Tacna, in the south of Peru, prices have started to decline because traders from the north have left. The kilo of giant squid, which was selling at PEN 2.80, is now at PEN 2.20. (FIS)./