Japan, home to one of the world’s four largest fishing grounds, was a fishing powerhouse. The early 1980s was its golden age. 450,000 fishermen boasted a record-high annual catch of 13 million tons. Japan’s overall catch peaked in the 1980s. The number of fishermen, which stood at 450,000 during this golden age, has now fallen to 120,000. Forty years have passed since the early 1980s, and both the catch and the number of fishermen have fallen by more than 70%. There is also a sad prediction. By 2050, there will be only 70,000 fishermen. Due to aging and a lack of successors, the number of fishermen has drastically decreased, and by the 2050s, there will be only 70,000 fishermen nationwide. The situation is serious, with catches decreasing year by year and many of the fishermen getting older. It is said that 40% of fishermen will be over 65 years old. However, if we can overcome this challenge, a new phase of the fishing industry will become visible.
Northern Japan, including Aomori Prefecture, is surrounded by cool, rich ocean currents. Japan Salmon Farm (Fukaura, Aomori Prefecture) is a company that takes advantage of this richness. Japan Salmon Farm utilizes Nordic aquaculture technology and began Japan’s first large-scale aquaculture in 2015. This farm has the most cutting-edge technology in Japan. It exports plump “Aomori salmon” to the world. Salmon is popular around the world, and demand for it is expected to grow. The farm is located in the Tsugaru Strait, where it is farmed using a feeding boat and underwater camera. The health of the fish is monitored from an underwater camera on a computer screen on land, and the fish are fed remotely. The latest technology is used to improve production efficiency, from fish health management to feeding and landing.
Bluefin tuna is popular as a sushi topping both at home and abroad. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is an organization that discusses resource management for Pacific bluefin tuna. The WCPFC has decided to expand the annual catch quota for large fish over 30 kg by 1.5 times the current amount from 2025 onwards. Currently, Japan has a limit of 5,614 tons for large fish and 4,007 tons for small fish. The good news is that the catch quotas will increase to 8,421 tons and 4,407 tons, respectively. The decision to expand the catch quota is due to the recovery of resource stocks. Pacific bluefin tuna has been protected by the introduction of international fishing regulations in 2015. In 2010, the lowest level was 12,000 tons. However, the parent stock of Pacific bluefin tuna has reached 144,000 tons in 2022. This is an example that shows that resources can be recovered quickly if fishing is restricted. We would like to create a system that protects resources, catches them moderately, makes fishermen rich, and allows consumers to continue to eat delicious fish.
