The Environment Ministry hopes to introduce underwater acoustic devices from fiscal 2026 to keep Hokkaido’s Kuril harbor seals from stealing salmon and mackerel from fishing nets.
The move comes amid mounting concerns in Hokkaido’s Cape Erimo area, where harbor seals have been damaging nets and consuming catches. Authorities hope the nonlethal measure will protect the local fishing industry while addressing the problem in an environmentally responsible way.
Kuril harbor seals are found throughout the waters from far eastern Hokkaido to Cape Erimo in the south. The seal population is estimated to be around 600, according to Koji Ono, an official at the Environment Ministry’s Hokkaido branch.
AloJapan.com