Herring fishing signals the arrival of spring off the coast of Tokoro

Sea of Japan Herring Catch Plummets, with Late Surge Expected in Tomamae

JAPAN
Friday, March 21, 2025, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

Total landings reach 1,341 tons, a 60% decline from the previous year, with only a marginal increase since late February.

The Sea of Japan herring fishing season is drawing to a close, marked by significantly reduced catches. Landings in the Shiribeshi and Ishikari regions remain below 2,000 tons, representing a 60% decrease compared to the same period last year.

According to the Hokkaido Fisheries and Forestry Department's Growth Industry Division, as of March 10th, the total herring catch along the Sea of Japan coast stood at 1,341 tons, a mere 38% of the 3,540 tons recorded during the same period in the previous year. This figure represents an increase of only 163 tons since the end of February.

Regional Breakdown:

• Northern Shiribeshi: 277 tons (33% of last year), with 204 tons landed by the Otaru City Fisheries Cooperative.
• Ishikari Bay Fisheries Cooperative: 1,059 tons (42% of last year), distributed as follows:
  • Ishikari Head Office: 588 tons
  • Atsuta Branch Office: 422 tons
  • Hamamasu Branch Office: 50 tons
• Rumoi: 5 tons.
• Southern Shiribeshi (Hiyama):
  • Suttsu Fisheries Cooperative: 105 tons (76% of the region's total)
  • Hiyama Fisheries Cooperative: 4 tons (57% of the region's total)

Notably, the Kita-Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative, particularly the Tomamae Branch Office, is expected to see an increase in reported catches following reports of substantial hauls on March 19th, as indicated by Koichi Ogasawara, Vice President of the Hokkaido Fisheries Youth Association.

It is important to note that these figures do not encompass herring caught as bycatch in fisheries outside of offshore bottom trawls, gill nets, and set nets. Reports suggest that offshore catches have generally been more successful.

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