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Japan to Cut Pacific Mackerel Catch Quota by 60% in FY 2025 Amid Resource Concerns

JAPAN
Thursday, May 08, 2025, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

Despite scientific recommendations for an 80% reduction, the Fisheries Agency compromises with a 60% cut to the Pacific chub and golden mackerel quota, while the Pacific saury quota falls below 100,000 tons for the first time.

Tokyo - The Fisheries Agency announced on May 2nd its decision to set the total catch quota for Pacific chub mackerel and golden mackerel at 139,000 tons for the fiscal year 2025, commencing in July. This figure represents a 60% reduction from the previous year's quota. The decision follows resource surveys conducted by scientists who had advised a more drastic 80% cut. However, the agency opted for a less severe reduction in response to concerns raised by purse seine fishermen and processing companies.

The Fisheries Policy Council, an advisory body to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, endorsed the plan on the same day. At the council meeting, Toshinori Uotani, director of the Resource Management Department at the Fisheries Agency, stated, "We determined that the 60% reduction was an acceptable limit, acknowledging that resource assessments are not absolute."

However, the proposed quota level sparked debate. One committee member present at the meeting pointed out the discrepancy between the quota and actual catches, stating, "The resources are demonstrably low. More stringent measures are warranted." This comment underscores the underlying concerns about the health of the mackerel stocks.

The council also finalized the Pacific saury catch quota for 2025, officially setting it at 95,623 tons. This figure marks a roughly 10% decrease compared to the previous year and represents the first time the saury quota has fallen below the 100,000-ton threshold since its initial establishment in 1997. Notably, this quota still exceeds the actual domestic catch of 38,695 tons recorded in 2024.

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