Efforts Intensify to Combat Clam Poaching Along Shonan Coast

In Fujisawa, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, a concerted effort is underway among fishermen, the Japan Coast Guard, and surfers to combat clam poaching along the Shonan coast. The focus is primarily on protecting the "Shonan Hamaguri," a clam that is a specialty in this popular summer destination. Recently, an incident at Tsujido Beach highlighted the ongoing problem when a surfer was caught with two clams. A plainclothes officer approached him, leading to an admission that he had gathered them himself, unaware that this practice constituted poaching. As a result, the coast guard plans to escalate the matter to prosecutors by the end of August for a potential violation of the Fishery Law.

Ichiro Hayama, who leads the Fujisawa branch of the Shonan Fishery Cooperative Association, voiced his frustrations regarding the persistent issue of clam poaching, emphasizing the detrimental impact on their restoration efforts. The Shonan Hamaguri clams thrive in the high-quality sand that lies beneath the shallow waters near Enoshima island. These clams are known for their substantial size and rich flavor and have been cultivated since the cooperative began releasing clam fry in 2001 to counteract their dwindling population. In 2017, the efforts were recognized when the clams were designated as a Kanagawa Brand product. This year alone, 110,000 clam fry were released, taking about four to five years to grow to a size suitable for consumption, with each clam priced at around 350 yen.

To raise awareness and deter poaching, the area is now marked with signs warning of fines up to 1 million yen for illegal clamming. While an increase in penalties has made many surfers cognizant of the laws, past practices where surfers would stealthily collect clams while swimming have created lasting challenges. Some surfers have volunteered to monitor poaching activities closely, leading to improvements in the situation, partly due to crackdowns by the coast guard. However, recent reports indicate that clam poaching is making a resurgence now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased. In 2022, authorities apprehended 14 individuals for violating fishery laws by harvesting clams and other marine resources.

The clams typically spawn in the summer, causing them to become more active and observable in the shallows. Hayama has expressed hopes for stronger collaboration with the coast guard and other stakeholders to protect the clam population. In light of dwindling domestic supplies, which have been exacerbated by habitat loss due to development since the 1980s, it has become increasingly urgent to prioritize the preservation of clams in various regions across Japan, including places like Kumamoto and Chiba. Fishery statistics indicate a dramatic decline in clam catches from 30,000 tons in 1963 to just 867 tons in 2006, leading to their designation as a vulnerable species by the Environment Ministry in 2012.