SASMIA is the officially recognised industrial association that collectively represents permit holders, boat owners and traders in the South African squid fishery. Its primary purpose is to ensure, on behalf of its members, that the squid resource and fishery in South Africa is properly managed. This function is performed within the ambit of the Marine Living Resources Act, which is promulgated by Marine & Coastal Management (a branch of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, DEFF). The core focus of SASMIA is to provide a two-way communication channel between government and the industry, and to fund squid resource research.