Akita: Calls are growing in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Akita to impose a ban on sandfish fishing as rising sea temperatures lead to poor catches of the fish known locally as "hatahata."
According to Philippines News Agency, hatahata has been an integral part of Akita's culinary culture, frequently appearing in local specialties like "shottsuru nabe," a hot pot that uses shottsuru fish sauce made from the fish. Historically, annual hatahata catches in Akita exceeded 10,000 tons until the mid-1970s, but these numbers declined significantly over subsequent decades.
The fish population did show recovery signs after a three-year fishing ban was introduced in 1992. However, catches began to decline again around 2010. From last autumn to June this year, hatahata landings fell to a record low of approximately 6 tons. An official from the prefecture's fisheries promotion center noted that while past declines were attributed to overfishing, current poor catches are more due to changes in the marine environment, including rising water temperatures in the Sea of Japan, which hinder stock reproduction.
Some fishery operators express reluctance to support a ban, fearing it could affect the catch of other marine species like snow crab, cod, and flounder, which are caught using offshore bottom trawling methods that also target hatahata. Despite these concerns, an official from the prefecture's fisheries wholesale and processing industry emphasized the importance of hatahata to Akita, warning that without action, the fish could face extinction. The official called for a unified effort from Akita's fishing industry and cooperation from neighboring prefectures to implement a fishing ban.
A restaurant manager in Tokyo's Ginza district, known for serving Akita cuisine, expressed hope for a recovery in fish stocks, noting that hatahata dishes are among Akita's most renowned specialties. A council under the Akita prefectural government is currently discussing the future of hatahata resources. This council, which includes representatives from the government and the fishing, fish-processing, and distribution industries, plans to announce its policy direction this autumn.
