ズワイガニ漁と海洋資源再生 気ままなリライト165
The snow crab fishing cooperatives along Japan’s western coast have reaped the rewards of their commitment to sustainable practices. By prioritizing the regeneration of marine resources, they have secured increased catch quotas for the second consecutive year. Their focus on the long-term benefits of sustainable fishing has fostered a delicate balance between local communities and the coastal ecosystems that sustain them. Through close collaboration with researchers and the local authorities, their disciplined practices have enhanced both the quality and quantity of their catch, boosting their economic resilience while safeguarding the region’s ecological future.
Snow crab populations have made a strong recovery along Japan’s western coast, from Hokuriku to the Sanin regions facing the Sea of Japan, where the snow crab season is a major event for local fishermen. In fiscal 2023, the revitalized snow crab stocks led to an increase in catches and a reduction in prices. Fukui Prefecture reported a 7% year-on-year rise in haul, bringing in 443 tons for the third consecutive year, valued at approximately 2.5 billion yen—an impressive 13% increase from the previous year. Despite a 12% drop in the average price of male snow crabs to 8,921 yen per kilo, this marked a record high since the 1960s. Ishikawa Prefecture saw a 22 % increase in its catch, totaling around 350 tons. This supply surge caused a 10% decrease in prices, outpacing the national average decline of 5.5%, bringing the national average price per kilo to 6,096 yen for fiscal 2023.
Renewed optimism has surrounded the 2024 winter snow crab season, which looks even more promising than the previous year. In early October, a general meeting of crab fishermen was held to allocate the total catch quota for the upcoming season, which runs from November to the end of March. Quotas were determined based on catch performance in each coastal region. For the first time in eight years, the total catch quota saw a significant 10 % rise, compared with the previous season. Offshore trawling, the main fishing method, was allocated 1,038 tons for Tottori Prefecture, 994 tons for Hyogo Prefecture, 247 tons for Fukui Prefecture, 112 tons for Ishikawa Prefecture, and 73 tons for Kyoto Prefecture. Each region received approximately a 5% increase over the previous season’s quotas.
This recovery of the snow crab population has been the result of a collective commitment to tackling overfishing, biodiversity loss, and declining crab stocks. Local fisheries, researchers and municipal authorities have worked together to implement stricter regulations than the national guidelines, with a focus on preventing overexploitation through close monitoring and science-based management. Key practices include releasing juvenile crabs back into the wild after fishing and designating no-catch zones for their growth---policies that have been in place since the population began to decline, leading to its eventual recovery in 2021. Though those measures initially limited income due to smaller catch quotas, they have ensured the long-term health of both the snow crab populations and the coastal fishing communities.
At the heart of local fishermen’s persistence in upholding self-imposed regulations lies a blend of cultural values and strategic marketing. Their approach reflects the traditional Japanese belief that humans are an integral part of nature, not separate from it. This philosophy encourages fishermen to see their practices as a way to harmonize with the environment—supporting both human livelihoods and ecological balance. For example, entire regions adhere strictly to the practice of not catching crabs until they reach maturity, a process that takes nearly 10 years. Fishing cooperatives build on those sustainable methods by developing long-term strategies and branding their snow crabs with distinct names tied to each port. In Tottori and Shimane, the crab is called Matsuba-gani; in Ishikawa Prefecture, they are called Kano-gani; and in Fukui, Echizen-gani. This localized branding enhances market values, helping fishermen create a distinct identity for their catch.