Japan is preparing a sharp increase in its catch limits for Japanese common flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) , proposing a total allowable catch ( TAC ) of 68,400 tons for fiscal year 2026 , which begins in April 2026. The plan was finalized in principle at a review meeting held on February 4 by the Japan Fisheries Agency , with formal approval expected at a follow-up session in late February.
On June 4, a meeting was held in the Minato district of Tokyo to discuss the catch quota for the upcoming season of the Japanese flying squid (surume squid).
According to the agency, the proposed quota represents an increase of approximately 3.6 times the initial quota set for fiscal year 2025 , and about 2.5 times the final adjusted quota for the same year. Officials attributed the move to exceptionally strong squid catches in certain regions during FY2025 , particularly in Aomori Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture , where landings surged far beyond expectations.
The concentration of catches led to rapid exhaustion of quotas for specific fishing methods, such as small squid angling , forcing authorities to impose temporary fishing bans. These stoppages disrupted fishing operations and supply planning across the industry. By raising the overall quota ahead of the next season, regulators aim to create more realistic management headroom and reduce the likelihood of sudden fishing halts.
Photo: Stockfile/FIS
However, the decision comes against the backdrop of continued scientific warnings. On December 26, 2025 , the Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) released its latest resource assessment, cautioning that the squid population remains in a critical condition overall. While coastal areas such as Sanriku experienced a surprising influx of squid in 2025 , researchers stressed that this was driven by temporary environmental factors rather than a broad recovery.
The National Research Institute for Fisheries Science identified two key drivers behind the Pacific-side surge: a slight increase in spawning success from winter-born parent fish, and a diversion of ocean currents that acted as a “conveyor belt,” carrying larvae toward the Pacific coast instead of their usual routes into the Sea of Japan .
Photo: Stockfile/FIS
In contrast, the autumn-born stock , which underpins fisheries in the Sea of Japan , remains at record-low levels . Experts note that parent fish density in this group is still dangerously low, leaving the reproductive cycle vulnerable. Rising sea temperatures in spawning grounds in the East China Sea continue to pose a long-term threat.
These concerns were echoed during the February review meeting, where some participants warned that sharply increasing annual catch limits under conditions of “non-abundant resources” could amplify future stock volatility. In response, the Fisheries Agency stressed that the proposed increase is a one-year-only emergency measure , designed to cope with bumper catches rather than signal a permanent easing of conservation rules.
Photo: Stockfile/FIS
To reinforce this stance, the plan pairs higher quotas with tighter controls. The agency is considering phased allocations by fishing method , including an initial release of 15,000 tons and a two-stage fishing season, with details to be finalized later. It also proposes expanding regional management beyond Hokkaido and Toyama Prefecture to include Aomori , Iwate , Miyagi , and Nagasaki Prefectures .
For the seafood industry, the policy shift sends mixed signals. On one hand, regulators are clearly preparing for the possibility of continued high catches, which could reduce supply uncertainty. On the other, stricter phased and regional controls mean that the actual pace of quota releases may still be constrained. Market participants are now watching closely for the outcome of the late-February review meeting and the final details on how the 68,400-ton quota will be implemented.
🇯🇵 Japanese
Japan and FY2026's fishing catches have greatly increased, and local fisheries and resources have coexisted.
Regulatory authority, Aomori Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture , Pacific side, Exception, reason for increase in catch, one party, exclusive The door family's short-term response is that all resources are still vulnerable and the warning is still there.
Japan's は、スルメイカ（Todarodes pacificus）のcatch limit を Large にcitation き上げるPrepare をEnter めており、2026 ( Starting from April 2026 ), the possible catch possibility (TAC) is 68,400, and the total number of cases is 68,400. The plan will be held on February 4th at the Fisheries Bank meeting, and the official decision will be made on the renegotiation in late February .
The proposed amount of fisheries and fishery products originally set for fiscal year 2025 is approximately 3.6 times , and the final adjusted allocation amount for the same year is approximately 2.5 times that of the previous year. Background information, 2025 year 's first sea area scenario, the last chapter, the catch of the fish, the special one, Aomori, Iwate, the water , the water, the water, the water, the water, the water, the water, the water.
The catch is concentrated, the small fish is caught in a specific fishing method, the catch is quickly digested and exceeded, and the government temporarily suspends the operation to deal with the problem. The fisherman's business plan and distribution side are chaotic and raw. In the next fishing season, the amount of fishery will be reduced before the fishing season is started, the management margin will be ensured, and the operation will be stopped if there is an unexpected problem.
One party's decision is a scientific warning and a warning. On December 26, 2025 , the Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) released its latest resource assessment report and pointed out that the overall resource situation is still in crisis . Sanriku Coastal Department では2025にyu fantasia の来游痗が见られたものの、Researcher はこれが広法なresponds to すものではなく, and the temporary environmental factors によるものだと emphasizes している.
Fisheries Research Institute 's main cause, Pacific side's でのincrease plus をもたらしたmain cause is は二つある. The spawning success rate of winter-born broodstock in the previous year has increased , the initial number of larvae has increased, and the sea current has changed . 「コンベヤーベルト」のようにeffectし, larvae originalのJapanese sea sideではなくPacific sideへと云んだことである.
対 Teru's に, Japan Sea Fisheries を branch え る秋生 ま れ 集团は , still と し て に とど ま っ て い る which was the lowest level in the past . The density of the broodstock of the exclusive family is very low, and the reproduction of the fish is fragile and fragile.さらに, Higashi Nakai 's spawning ground におけるSea temperature risesのが, long-term なリスクとして続いている.
こうしたsuspenseはFebruaryの検symposiumでもshowされ、「RESOURCESが豊富とは言えない SITUATION」で年鱼Acquisition of large-scale and large-scale resources, future resource expansion and expansion of resources.これに対し鱼偁は, 日本成枠は1-year-limited emergency measureであり, 豊鱼年への対応をpurpose としたもので, constant なregulation easing ではないと explanation した.
The policy is based on the plan, the quantity is increased, and the management is strengthened at the same time. The allocation for each stage of the fishing method is として, the initial allocation of 15,000 トン, and the second stage of fishing season management が検されており, and the details will be decided in the future.また, HokkaidoおよびToyama Prefecture Limited られていたregional managementを, Aomori Prefecture , Iwate Prefecture , Miyagi Prefecture , Nagasaki Prefectureにも拡大する case が Show されている.
In the fishery industry, there are changes in policies and policies. On the one hand, the regulatory authorities are working on high-level catchment scenarios, improving the system, and looking forward to reducing uncertainty on the supply side. The release of the 68,400 トンの枠が実间にmarket in other countries and stages of regional management is still subject to restrictions and possibilities. Market relations, the results of the discussion meeting in late February , and the final focus of the application.
🇨🇳 Chinese (Simplified)
Japan plans to significantly increase its squid catch quota for fiscal year 2026, seeking a balance between localized bumper harvests and resource risks.
Regulators have noted unusually high catches along the Pacific coasts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures ; however, experts warn that despite short-term improvements, the overall resource situation remains fragile.
Japan is preparing to significantly increase the catch limit for Japanese squid (Todarodes pacificus) , proposing to set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) at 68,400 tons for fiscal year 2026 ( starting in April 2026 ) . The proposal was finalized in principle at a review meeting held by the Fisheries Agency on February 4th and is expected to be formally approved at a follow-up meeting in late February .
According to the Fisheries Agency, the proposal represents approximately 3.6 times the initial quota for fiscal year 2025 , and about 2.5 times the final adjusted quota for that year . The direct reason for this decision is the much-than-expected increase in catches in some sea areas during fiscal year 2025 , particularly in Aomori and Iwate prefectures , where landings have risen significantly.
Due to the highly concentrated fishing season, quotas for specific fishing methods such as small squid jigging are quickly exhausted or even exceeded, forcing regulators to issue temporary fishing bans and disrupting fisheries operations and supply plans. By increasing the total catch before the new season, regulators hope to leave more room for realistic management and reduce the likelihood of being forced to stop fishing again.
However, this decision was made against the backdrop of ongoing warnings from the scientific community. On December 26, 2025 , the Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) released its latest resource assessment, indicating that the species as a whole remains critically endangered . Although there was an unexpected increase in migration to coastal areas such as Sanriku in 2025 , researchers emphasized that this was mainly due to temporary environmental factors rather than a full recovery.
According to the National Fisheries Research Institute , there are two reasons for the surge in fishing along the Pacific coast: firstly, the spawning success rate of parent fish born in winter is slightly higher , which expands the larval population; secondly, ocean currents have shifted , acting like a " conveyor belt " to push newborn larvae toward the Pacific side , rather than the traditional Sea of Japan route.
In stark contrast, the autumn-born populations that are the mainstay of fisheries in the Sea of Japan remain at historic lows . Japanese fisheries experts emphasize that there has been no turnaround in "resource recovery," and the low density of broodstock makes the breeding cycle extremely fragile. Marine biologists also point out that rising sea temperatures in the East China Sea spawning grounds pose a persistent long-term threat.
These concerns were also raised at the review meeting in February. Some participants pointed out that significantly raising the annual catch limit under the premise of "not abundant resources" could exacerbate future resource fluctuations. In response, the Fisheries Agency emphasized that this increase is a temporary measure for only one year , aimed at dealing with bumper harvest years, not a long-term relaxation of resource constraints.
At the implementation level, the increase in quotas does not mean a "complete liberalization." On the contrary, the plan is accompanied by stricter management measures, including phased allocation based on fishing methods , with 15,000 tons to be released in the first phase , and the fishing season divided into two phases, with specific details yet to be determined. At the same time, the regional management area will be expanded from Hokkaido and Toyama Prefectures to include Aomori , Iwate , Miyagi , and Nagasaki Prefectures .
For the industry chain, this policy adjustment sends a dual signal: on the one hand, Japanese regulators are establishing a framework for a scenario where high catches may continue, potentially reducing supply-side uncertainty; on the other hand, the strengthened phased and regionalized management means that the actual release of the 68,400-ton quota may still be limited. The market is closely watching the final results of the review meeting in late February and the specific implementation details.
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