Japan Adjusts True Squid Fishing Quotas Again: Six Prefectures Receive Increased Quotas, Small Fishing Vessels Forced To Cease Fishing

On December 8th, the Japan Fisheries Agency officially approved a new fishing quota scheme for true squid (Todarodes pacificus) for this season. While the total national quota remains unchanged, the government reallocated 2,485 tons from the previously reserved adjustment quota to specific fishing methods and six local administrative regions, triggering a mixed reaction within the industry.

In the centrally managed category, near-shore bottom trawlers were allocated 499 tons, and squid fishing, permitted by the Minister, was allocated 200 tons. However, small fishing vessels received no new quotas and were forced to cease fishing from the end of October until the start of the new season in March 2026 due to overcrowding in many areas. This decision means that small fishing groups will continue to face livelihood pressures this fishing season.

At the local level, Hokkaido received the largest share of the newly allocated quota, totaling 1,049 tons. Nagasaki Prefecture received 503 tons, Yamagata Prefecture 96 tons, while Hyogo, Tottori, and Yamaguchi prefectures each received 46 tons. These regions had previously applied for increased quotas, citing resource recovery and livelihood pressures on fishermen as the main reasons.

Industry insiders pointed out that while this allocation has alleviated fishing shortages in some areas to some extent, the overall quota structure still fails to cover the losses of restricted fishermen. Due to lower-than-usual squid stocks along the Japanese coast and continued strong consumer demand, the market supply and demand are likely to remain tight in the future, providing some support for prices.

Some analysts believe that this "reservation for future expansion" reflects the delicate balance the Japanese government is striking between resource protection and the interests of fishermen, and also indicates that future squid fishing management will tend to be more detailed and regionalized.