Comparative Study of Changes in Fishing Rights Ownership in Herring Fishery Regions in Hokkaido

In the modern era, the western coast of Hokkaido has been home to numerous herring fishery zones that rely heavily on fishing. Floating fish such as herring contribute to significant fluctuations in resources, resulting in varying catch volumes depending on the region. A comprehensive understanding of Hokkaido’s herring fishery remains elusive because of the substantial variation in catch volume and the significant number of fishers involved. This study examined three regions with diverse fluctuations in herring catch to compare and analyze changes in the number of stationary fishing rights for several fish species, including herring. This approach considers variations in herring catch volumes. The Licensed Fishing Register, held by the Archives of Hokkaido, serves as a historical resource, as it includes information about stationary fishing rights holders from 1902 to 1951 and provides reasons for ownership changes. It also provides insights into long-term fluctuations in stationary fishing rights. Overlaying the trends in herring catch volumes with changes in the acquisition of fishing rights for herring and other fish species across the three regions reveals a shift in the fishing system. This transition was marked by a shift from focusing on herring fisheries to gradually integrating other species in response to fluctuations in herring catch volumes. Consequently, this study sheds light on the substantial impact of herring fisheries on the acquisition of fishing rights along with regional variations in the timing of the surge in non-herring fisheries and the degree of cooperative effort among herring fishers. Key words Hokkaido, herring fishery, Meiji Fisheries Law, Licensed Fishing Register (Menkyo Gyogyo Genbo)