PROJECT EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL NURSERY REEFS TARGETING SNOW CRAB AND FLATHEAD FLOUNDER IN THE WESTERN PART OF JAPAN SEA

Abstract

 The Japanese government launched the construction of artificial nursery reefs to increase resources of snow crab and flathead flounder in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone of the western part(off the coast of Hyogo Prefecture - Shimane Prefecture) of Japan Sea in FY2007, and completed 9 sites out of 21 planned sites at the end of FY2012.
 We conducted field survey and analysis of the existing data regarding catches of target speices to clarify the project effect of artificial nursery reefs. As a result of this study, we mainly found the following.
 - Inbabiting situation in a protected area protected by artificial nursery reefs can be clarified by small trawl net and basket trap.
 - Habitat density of protected areas is higher than that of control areas.
 - Sea areas surrounding protected areas are good fishing grounds judging by high CPUE.