SHIZUOKA, May 09 (News On Japan) - Sakura shrimp, known as the 'Jewel of Suruga Bay,' are showing signs of recovery after years of declining catches that have troubled the local fishing industry.
The turnaround is largely attributed to voluntary restrictions carried out collectively by fishermen to protect the resource. In Shimizu Ward of Shizuoka City, a sushi restaurant is drawing seasonal crowds for its popular "Sakura Shrimp Feast Set," which features the shrimp prepared three ways—raw, in tempura, and boiled. "Both Japanese and foreign visitors really enjoy this," said Yamashichi sushi restaurant owner Yamazaki Tomoko.
During the Golden Week holidays, many customers visited the restaurant to sample the specialty. The spring fishing season for sakura shrimp, which began on April 2nd, saw a total haul of 167 tons by the end of April. Masanori Jitsuishi, head of the Shizuoka Prefecture Sakura Shrimp Fishery Cooperative, expressed cautious optimism about the results.
"Compared to those days, it’s not a sudden recovery, but we’re definitely seeing a positive trend," Jitsuishi said, referring to the period around 2020, when catches had plummeted. According to the cooperative, annual catches were around 1,000 tons before 2017, but by 2020 they had fallen to about 128 tons. In contrast, the 2024 catch surpassed 500 tons, indicating a modest but steady rebound.
A key factor behind this recovery is the cooperative's ongoing voluntary restrictions. "We reduced the number of fishing boats and shortened the time we drag the nets," Jitsuishi explained.
Before the measures, around 120 vessels would go out to fish. The cooperative has since halved that number and staggered departures on alternating days to control daily catches. They also reduced the duration of net dragging to allow more shrimp to survive and reproduce for future seasons.
In addition, fishing activities have been restricted in sensitive areas, such as near the mouth of the Fuji River, which is believed to be a spawning ground for the shrimp.
"This isn’t just a specialty of Suruga Bay—it’s something we consider a Japanese treasure," said Jitsuishi. "Even if the resource recovers to a certain extent, we need to maintain the voluntary restrictions."
In their effort to pass on the bounty of Suruga Bay to future generations, the fishing community continues to adjust boat operations daily based on fishing conditions. While catch volumes have improved from their lowest point, uncertainty remains. For that reason, the cooperative plans to continue with the self-imposed restrictions going forward.
Source: SBSnews6
