Message from Director General

In March 2026, the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency formulated its 6th Medium- to Long-Term Plan. With regard to fisheries resources, rapid changes in the marine environment, particularly in the waters surrounding Japan, are having significant impacts on distribution, migration routes, growth, and maturation of fishery resources. As a result, these changes have led to serious effects on fisheries production, including poor catches of major commercial species.
Under environmental conditions that are changing more rapidly than ever before, it is necessary to accurately and reliably assess the status of fishery resources.

At the Fisheries  Stock Assessment Center, we will promote research and development aimed at enabling real-time monitoring of changes in the marine environment through the use of autonomous observation systems, satellite data, and surveys of phytoplankton and zooplankton. In addition, we will work to enhance the robustness of stock assessment results for resources in waters surrounding Japan and in international waters by advancing stock assessment models, improving the efficiency of catch data collection through image analysis technologies, developing techniques that contribute to rapid monitoring and forecasting of resource status, and conducting analyses of biological specimens.

At the Salmon Research Center, we will conduct research and development for the sustainable use of salmon resources in Japan. Our efforts will include improving understanding of the growth, distribution, and habitats of juvenile and young fish; developing seed production techniques that enhance survival rates and refining release strategies tailored to environmental characteristics; elucidating the ecology, habitats, and contributions to stock of wild fish considered resilient to environmental change; and disseminating developed technologies to private hatcheries and related organizations.

April 1, 2026

Hiroshi Minami

Director General, Fisheries Resources Institute