The Japan Fisheries Information Service Center is set to revolutionize the fishing industry with its new AI-driven service designed specifically for predicting the size of saury caught in Japanese waters. This innovative initiative will launch in the upcoming fishing season and will rely on the advanced analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence to enhance fishing efficiency.

For years, this Tokyo-based group of fisheries organizations has played a crucial role in disseminating vital information on fishing conditions and oceanographic data to local fishers. Since the inception of its AI prediction model in 2020, the organization has successfully identified potential saury fishing locations by analyzing seawater temperatures alongside historical fishing records. The improvements have been significant year-on-year, now culminating in a robust system capable of estimating not just the locations of saury but also their sizes.

The new service will categorize fishing spots based on size classification, which is primarily determined by fish weight. This strategic approach divides the fishing grounds into two key groups: one that is expected to contain over 70% of saury weighing less than 100 grams, and another known for a higher concentration of midsize to large saury, which weigh 100 grams or more. Such detailed classification is crucial as it allows fishers to optimize their catches by targeting areas with the most suitable fish size for their intended use, whether for commercial sale or processing.

Visual aids are central to the effectiveness of this service, with the implementation of a specialized sea chart marking small saury with dots and midsize and large fish with larger symbols. This intuitive system aims to enhance the user experience for fishers, making it easier to interpret the data at a glance.

Recent statistics from the group highlight a promising improvement in saury catches during the traditional fishing season, with an impressive haul of approximately 28,500 tons reported between August and September. This is a 2.4-fold increase compared to the same period in the previous year, largely attributed to the fish being larger than average, with some specimens exceeding 200 grams in weight due to an abundance of food in the environment.

Of particular note is the expected increase in accuracy for identifying larger saury, which have become scarce in recent years, leading to a significant data gap. As larger saury continue to populate fishing grounds, the AI system will enhance its ability to distinguish between midsize and large fish, particularly those weighing over 120 grams, thus providing valuable insights to fishers aiming for higher quality catches.

The AI-based fishing spot forecast will be seamlessly integrated into the existing “Ebisu-kun” system, which already provides essential data on seawater temperatures among other parameters. Fishers will be able to access forecasts for current and upcoming fishing grounds within two days, streamlining their planning and operations.

This technological integration is widely acknowledged by industry experts, including Kohei Oishi, an executive from the national saury fishery cooperative Zen-Sanma, who expressed appreciation for the anticipated further improvements in accuracy, particularly regarding size classification.

As the fishing industry bounces back from previous years marked by low catches, the improved size classification not only stands to boost fishers’ profits but also augments the supply of high-quality saury to consumers. Smaller saury, commonly used for canned goods and livestock feed, generally fetch lower prices. In contrast, midsize and larger saury, which are preferred for direct sale, tend to command a premium in the market.

The influx of innovation through AI technology represents a new chapter for the fishing industry in Japan. By fostering selective fishing practices, the initiative ultimately seeks to benefit both fishers and consumers, aligning economic growth with sustainable fishing practices and ensuring that the resources of the sea are managed responsibly.