Recreational Fishing by Foreign Nationals

1. Regulations on Recreational Fishing by Foreign Nationals

(1) Regulations under the Act on the Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals and the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone

Recreational fishing conducted by foreign nationals is limited to activities that fall under “gathering or catching of aquatic animals or plants on a minor scale” as provided in the following laws and regulations:

• In territorial waters and internal waters*; Act on the Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals (Act No. 60 of 1967) and its Regulations for Enforcement.
• In the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (Act No. 76 of 1996) and its Regulations for Enforcement.

The permitted fishing gear and methods are determined based on the vessel size and other factors, as outlined in the table below. Please refer to the respective Acts and Enforcement Regulations for full details. (In addition, please be sure to check “(2) Other Laws and Prefectural Regulations” since there are some regulations based on the Fisheries Act, etc.,)

(* “Internal waters” include rivers, lakes, certain bays, and inland seas.)

○Territorial Waters and Internal Waters

Method / Gear	Without a vessel (e.g. shore fishing)	Vessel under 3 gross tons	Vessel 3 gross tons or more
Rod fishing, Handline fishing	○	○	△※2
Landing net, scoop net, fishing spear, clam rake or knife	○	○	△※2
Cast net	○	×	×
Trolling※1	－	○	△※2

○Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Method / Gear	Vessel under 3 gross tons	Vessel 3 gross tons or more
Rod fishing, Handline fishing (no chumming)	○	△※2
Rod fishing, Handline (with chumming)	△※2	△※2
Landing net, scoop net, fishing spear, clam rake or knife	○	△※2
Trolling※1	△※2	△※2

※1: Permitted only in areas and periods specified and publicly notified by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (see schematic ma(PDF : 396KB))
Please be sure to consult the relevant prefectural government before engaging in such activities.
※2: Permitted only when conducted by a Japanese vessel under the control of a Japanese fisher (shared fishing charters or fishing vessels).

<Permissible Fishing Methods / Gear> (Japanese page)

• Rod fishing, Handline fishing

• Landing net

• Scoop net

• Fishing spear

• Clam shovel

• Cast net

• Trolling

(2) Other Laws and Prefectural Regulations etc.

Recreational fishing in Japan is also regulated by other laws and prefectural regulations, including:

• Fishery Act,

• Fisheries Adjustment Regulations,

• Directives issued by Sea-area Fisheries Adjustment Commissions or Inland Water Fishing Ground Management Commissions, and

• Recreational Fishing Rules in inland waters, etc.

The following items are regulated under these laws and regulations:

• The types and sizes of aquatic animals and plants to be caught,

• Fising gears and methods,

• Periods and areas for fishing, etc.

These regulations are established to ensure the sustainable use of aquatic resources and use of waters by various parties, including fishers. Not only Japanese national but also foreign nationals must comply with these rules for recreational fishing. Violations may result in penalties. Please consult local government or recreational fishing operators in advance to confirm the rules and regulations applicable in each region.

Please be considerate of manners or local rules, such as:

Do not approach set nets, fishing gears or other fishing facilities,
Do not enter restricted areas in fishing ports,
Take your garbage home, etc.

2.Educational Flyers

Educational flyers are prepared in English, Russian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Vietnamese, and Indonesian to help foreign nationals engaged in recreational fishing understand the regulations under the Act on Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals and the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Flyers summarize the regulations for different fishing situations. Please refer to them before fishing.

＜Relevant Laws and Regulations＞ (References to related articles are shown in brackets)

• Act on the Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals [Article 3]

• Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on the Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals [Article 2]

• Public Notice Specifying Persons Designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under Article 3, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act on the Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals(PDF : 48KB) ※

• Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone [Article 2(4), Article 4, Article 5]

• Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the EEZ [Article 1]

• Public Notice Specifying Persons Designated by the Minister under Article 2, item (iv), sub-item (a) of the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone(PDF : 107KB)※

※ Persons with resident status such as permanent residents are not classified as “foreign nationals” under the Act on Regulation of Fishing Operations by Foreign Nationals and the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights on Fishing Operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

お問合せ先

資源管理部漁獲監理官

担当者：操業調整班【領海・内水】外国人漁業管理班【EEZ】
ダイヤルイン：03-3501-3880/03-3501-0756