Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Pacific Saury Fishing Season Starts Strong

JAPAN
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 06:10 (GMT + 9)

The Pacific saury fishing season is off to a promising start, with over 2,600 tons landed by the end of August—4.5 times the amount recorded during the same period last year. This strong start has seen a daily landing of over 500 tons for several days, with healthy fish stocks contributing to a 74% increase in market prices.

The fishing ban on saury using pole-and-hook nets in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean was lifted on August 10th. Following the lifting of the ban, over 500 tons were landed on the 17th, 23rd, and 29th of August, primarily in Hanasaki, setting a much faster pace than the previous year.

According to the Fisheries Information Service Center, the nationwide total catch reached 2,611 tons by the end of August—4.5 times more than the same period last year. Prices have also surged, with an average of 809 yen per kilogram, reflecting a 74% increase. This season, the majority of the saury caught weigh over 110g, a notable improvement from last year when most fish were smaller.

This year, 45 large ships, 21 medium ships, and 31 small ships are participating in the season. Large and medium-sized vessels are docking weekly at the main port of Hanasaki, with landings also taking place in Akkeshi, Hokkaido, and Ofunato, Kesennuma, Onagawa, and Kamaishi in Honshu. These landings have been highly praised for processing and distribution. On average, large ships are catching about 16 tons per trip. The fishing ban was lifted 10 days earlier this year, and simultaneous fishing across different vessel sizes in the high seas has contributed to these positive results.

Hanasaki has seen cumulative landings of 2,159 tons, accounting for over 80% of the total catch—4.3 times the volume from August last year. The price per kilogram in Hanasaki stands at 786 yen, a 70% increase.

In Akkeshi, 176 tons were landed at 619 yen (USD 4.32) per kilogram, marking a 3.4-fold increase in quantity and a 70% rise in price. In the main ports of Honshu, prices have been strong, around 1,000 yen (USD 6.98) per kilogram. Ofunato recorded 160 tons at 993 yen (USD 6.93), Kesennuma 48 tons at 1,349 yen (USD 9.41), Onagawa 42 tons at 1,146 yen (USD 7.99), and Kamaishi 26 tons at 1,003 yen (USD 7).

The outlook for September remains uncertain, especially with the potential impact of an approaching typhoon. While the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) sets fishing limits for each country in international waters, concerns persist about overfishing and its effect on resources, both in the high seas and within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone used by Japanese fishing vessels.

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