Estimates of numbers of masu salmon caught by recreational fishermen in the coastal area off Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

Recreational fishing for masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou has recently become popular in coastal areas of south-western Hokkaido, including the Iburi district. We sampled recreational party boats in the Iburi district in the winters of 1998-1999 and 1999-2000. Daily numbers of anglers and catches of masu salmon were provided by the captains of the fishing boats. On average, anglers caught approximately four masu salmon per day each year, and peak catches occurred from late January to early February. Estimated numbers (standard errors in parentheses) of masu salmon caught by recreational anglers in the Iburi district were 66 844 (11 685) in 1998-1999 and 57 454 (6559) in 1999-2000, equivalent to 12-13% of the total annual commercial catches of masu salmon in Hokkaido. High recreational catches illustrate the importance of evaluating this fishery in the assessment and management of masu salmon in Hokkaido.

Population Genetic Structure and Phylogeography of Masu Salmon (Oncorhynchus Masou Masou) Inferred from Mitochondrial and Microsatellite DNA Analyses

“…Although masu salmon is an important fisheries species, its commercial catch has decreased over the years (Miyakoshi et al, 2001(Miyakoshi et al, , 2004. Hatchery programs have been established to release fry artificially obtained from eggs of the limited spawning groups, which will cause decreased genetic diversity of subsequent breeding groups, possibly affecting the genetic structure of natural breeding groups (Noguchi and Taniguchi, 2007).…”

Genetic differentiation between collections of hatchery and wild masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) inferred from mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA analyses

“…Therefore, the suggested genetic differentiation might be due to a reduction in the genetic diversity in the hatchery broodstocks, which can be regarded as an ongoing process. Hatchery programs of masu salmon implemented in Japan appear to be unsuccessful based on observations of declining commercial catches (Miyakoshi et al 2001(Miyakoshi et al , 2004. However, factors Table 1: filled circle, the Sea of Okhotsk coasts; filled square, the sea of Japan coasts; open square, Hatchery samples responsible for the poor results in masu salmon stock enhancement remain mostly unknown, making it difficult to improve on current hatchery programs.…”

“…However, commercial catch of masu salmon in Japan is gradually decreasing (Miyakoshi et al 2001(Miyakoshi et al , 2004, despite the long history of concerted efforts aimed at artificial propagation and stocking since the late 19th century (Mayama 1992).…”

Seasonal Distribution of Yearling Masu Salmon Released from the Sea of Japan Side of Southwestern Hokkaido, Japan

“…Recreational fishing for masu salmon is popular in the coastal waters of the Iburi district in winter, and the estimated catch by recreational fishermen reaches 12-13% of the total catch in Hokkaido (Miyakoshi et al 2004). In the Iburi coastal waters, a license system for masu salmon fishing restricts the maximum catch and angling time for the purpose of resource protection.…”