The Annual and Daily Activities of Round Haul Net Fishing Fleets in the Shimanoura Area, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the annual and daily activity of round haul net fishing fleets. The results of the research in the Shimanoura area of Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, are described below.The fishing industry in the Shimanoura area has flourished as a result of increase in the sardine catch through the introduction of the stick-held dip net during the mid Edo Period and the introduction of the round haul net in the early Showa Period. In recent years, the percentage of farm-raised yellowtail has increased substantially in monetary terms, and production has peaked through the use of the round haul net. While the pilchard catch has declined, the anchovy catch has increased through the use of the round haul net.Examination of the seasonal changes in fishing grounds in recent years shows fishing operations being carried out in the waters adjacent to Shimanoura from January through May, the waters off Miyazaki City in June, and the various areas of Hyuganada thereafter, making it difficult to determine a regular pattern. Conditions restricting the activities of fishing fleets include: (1) the capability constraints of the fishing boats; (2) authority constraints, such as administrative arrangements relating to fishable waters and catch weight; (3) coupling constraints, such as the presence of an offshore estuary or strait in the fishing ground, the nearness of the fishing ground, the establishment of a system for obtaining fresh sources of fish and the like and coupling constraints among fishing boats.