Japan is requesting an expansion of its fishing quotas for Pacific bluefin tuna during an international resource-management conference in Nagasaki this month.
The decision will determine the sustainable harvest levels for the species, often called "black diamond" due to its high market value. The outcome affects both the economic viability of regional fisheries and the long-term survival of the species.
According to the Fisheries Agency, Japan will propose a 25% increase [3] in the quota for large fish weighing 30 kg or more. The agency also plans to request a six percent increase [4] for the small-fish quota compared to 2026 levels. An official of the Fisheries Agency said, "We will propose a 25% increase in the large-fish (30 kg+) quota at the July conference" [3].
These requests follow a significant recovery of the Pacific bluefin tuna population. Stocks fell to approximately 12,000 t in 2010 [1] but rebounded to roughly 144,000 t by 2022 [2]. This growth has prompted the Japanese government to seek higher limits to capitalize on the abundance.
However, the proposal faces criticism from some industry stakeholders. While the government seeks expansion, some local fishers argue that current limits are already restrictive. A local fisherman from Sado-oki said the current quota is already at about 90% [5] of the allowed limit, making further expansion wasteful.
Other fisheries stakeholders have expressed that they do not welcome the quota increase despite the abundance of fish. This creates a tension between national policy goals to increase harvest, and the practical realities of fishers who are already reaching their ceilings [5].
“Japan will propose a 25% increase in the large-fish (30 kg+) quota at the July conference.”
The push for higher quotas reflects a shift from conservation-heavy management to economic exploitation as the Pacific bluefin tuna population stabilizes. However, the disconnect between the Fisheries Agency's targets and the reports from local fishers suggests that quota distribution or operational efficiency may be an issue, as some fleets are hitting their limits before the national cap is reached.
