Photo: N-Station commentary

Will the catch quota for Pacific saury be reduced as catches of the species continue to be in short supply?

JAPAN
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Catches of mackerel, squid, and salmon are also declining. Experts say "due to climate change..."

An international conference to discuss resource management for Pacific saury, which has suffered a long period of poor catches, began on the 24th. Discussions are expected to focus on a proposal to reduce catch limits from last year in order to restore the resource.

Saito Shintaro:

"On the 24th, the North Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international conference to discuss resource management for Pacific saury , began in Osaka City to discuss the recovery of fishery resources. The main topic of discussion will be a proposal to reduce this year's catch quota by 10% from last year to 202,500 tons".

Japan's saury catch has been gradually declining since reaching a record of about 355,000 tons in 2008 , to about 39,000 tons in 2024.

*Reports from various countries to NPFC (until 2023) / National Sanma Pole Net Fisheries Cooperative (2024)

Regarding the background to the saury catch decline, Professor Yagi Nobuyuki of the University of Tokyo Graduate School, who is knowledgeable about fisheries both in Japan and overseas, said, "The rising seawater temperature has changed the tides, and saury can no longer come close to Japan ."

Inoue Takahiro:

"The amount of saury is decreasing, but demand seems to be increasing worldwide".

Director Harold George May:

"I think we need to change our way of thinking a little. Compared to 2008, (fish catches) have decreased by about 90%. At this meeting, they are discussing a 10% reduction, but there is something about it that feels like a pose. On the other hand, as a consumer, it might be good to eat fish that replace saury (due to global warming)."

Chiaki Horan:

"It may be inevitable, considering that there is an international goal to "protect the richness of the ocean." It seems that food cultures in many countries, not just Japan, will change as well".

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