The U.S. Northeast shortfin squid (illex) fishery has been certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council, making it the second squid fishery worldwide to earn that designation.

“Sourcing and eating certified sustainable squid has never been easier,” said Brian Perkins, regional director of the Americas for the Marine Stewardship Council. “The fishery has demonstrated its hard work in sustaining the resource, and in meeting the MSC fisheries sustainability standard. We’re proud to have a second responsible squid fishery join the program.”

Assessment of the fishery was carried out by the independent auditor SCS Global Services at the request of Lund’s Fisheries of Cape May, N.J., and The Town Dock of Narragansett, R.I., along with independent fishermen throughout the region.

The assessment was part of a scope expansion following the successful certification of the Northeast inshore longfin squid (loligo) fishery nearly a year ago.

“We are very pleased to offer certified sustainable shortfin squid to our trusted customers and America’s seafood consumers," said Wayne Reichle, president of Lund's Fisheries. “The Marine Stewardship Council certification demonstrates the integrity of our domestic seafood management and monitoring systems. We are working daily to sustainably manage our East Coast squid fishery to the benefit of the resource, fishing communities, and calamari lovers everywhere.”

“The certification of the North Atlantic illex fishery is very exciting for us and for sustainability minded consumers,” said Ryan Clark, CEO of The Town Dock. “It has always been important for us to sustainably manage our squid fisheries, so a second MSC certification is welcome news. And now, we can offer our customers around the globe two certified sustainable USA squid species in loligo and illex.”

The two squid wholesalers hope MSC certification will help push Atlantic inshore loligo squid into new markets and meet the needs of customers that were otherwise out of reach.