Restrictions Imposed on Gazami Crab Fishing in Chiba Prefecture Due to Overfishing Concerns

A local official in Chiba Prefecture has illustrated the methods used by recreational crab fishermen to catch gazami crabs at night, utilizing lights and dip nets. However, the prefectural commission has raised concerns over the rising popularity of this activity, particularly among non-Japanese fishermen, leading to a decision to limit crabbing to help sustain the crab population.

As part of the new regulations, nighttime crabbing for gazami crabs by leisure fishermen will be banned from September through November. While the quantity of crabs caught has been noted as high, the activities do not violate fishing laws or regulations and are not classified as poaching. Many individuals have taken to crabbing at low tide during nighttime since the fall of 2023, and officials suspect that this trend has gained traction through social media platforms, given that few crabbers were present in prior years.

The shallow waters off the Kaneda-Ushigome district have attracted crabbers who use lights to draw crabs toward the shoreline before netting them. Officials from the prefecture report that fishing rights holders in the region have voluntarily refrained from nighttime crabbing, expressing concerns over the unauthorized activities of leisure fishermen, which they label a "nuisance" that could hinder effective resource management.

A collaborating local fisheries cooperative engaged in extensive fieldwork, observing crabbing activities over a 24-day period. They found that as many as 46 recreational fishermen were active on a given day, leading to estimates that up to 736 individuals visited the fishing grounds during the survey, dependent on weather conditions. Interviews with 19 fishermen revealed that the majority were Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, all stating they intended to consume the crabs personally rather than sell them.

The commission calculated that approximately 449 kilograms of gazami crabs were caught during this survey period, representing a significant portion of the annual catch by local fisheries. During a meeting on May 27, the commission decided to introduce the recreational fishing restrictions, which will be formally enacted following approval from a subcommittee comprised of fishing industry professionals and experts.

The specific measures prohibit the capture of three types of gazami crabs from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. between September 1 and November 30. The Marine Fisheries Adjustment Commission operates under both the Fishery Law and the Local Autonomy Law, aiming to manage marine resources sustainably within prefectural waters and to support the ecological balance through proper fisheries management. The commission holds both advisory and decision-making powers regarding fishing regulations to protect marine life effectively.