March Seasonal Fish and Seafood: Contrasting Spring Conditions in the Oceans
Looking at firefly squid, sand lance, and sakura shrimp peaking in March, the 2026 catches show contrasting fortunes across different regions.
The seafood section in March is a seasonal mirror reflecting signs of spring. Among the topics of conversation at dinner tables and tourist destinations are firefly squid (Hotaru-ika) in Toyama, sand lance (Ikanago) around the Harima-nada Sea and Osaka Bay, and sakura shrimp (Sakura-ebi) in Suruga Bay. While all are known as "tastes of spring," the fishing conditions in 2026 paint a diverse picture.
According to the firefly squid fishing forecast released by Toyama Prefecture on February 27, 2026, the catch for this season is expected to exceed the annual average. A high volume migration to the coast is expected, which will boost spring tourism and local consumption. Given the instability of recent years, this season will likely bring a strong sensation of "spring in the sea."
On the other hand, the situation is exceptionally harsh for sand lance. On February 24, 2026, Hyogo Prefecture released its forecast for young sand lance (shinko) in the Harima-nada Sea, Osaka Bay, and Kii Channel, indicating low stock levels of target young fish across all areas. As the species supports the local "kugini" (simmered sand lance) culture, it may impact decisions to go fishing, retail prices, and spring dining staples.
Sakura shrimp lies somewhere in the middle. According to Shizuoka Prefecture, the spring fishing season generally runs from mid-March to early June. The prefecture's production trends show that the catch in the 2024 season recovered to 529 tons, showing signs of recovery under resource management. However, it is not yet a complete recovery, and operations in 2026 are highly likely to proceed cautiously while assessing stocks.
In short, seafood peaking in March cannot be lumped together as "abundant just because it's spring." Firefly squid is backed by positive expectations, sand lance faces a continued resource crunch, and sakura shrimp is in a cautious recovery phase. The sea that supports these seasonal delicacies shows completely different faces for each species this year.
Sources
Toyama Prefecture Firefly Squid Fishing Forecast: https://www.pref.toyama.jp/166191/hotaruika/20260227_r8hotaruika_yohou.html
Hyogo Prefecture 2026 Sand Lance (Shinko) Fishing Forecast: https://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/nk16/20260224-2.html
静岡県 駿河湾のサクラエビ春漁時期: https://fujinokuni.shokunomiyako-shizuoka.pref.shizuoka.jp/culture/article/2501
静岡県 サクラエビの生産動向: https://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/kensei/information/myshizuoka/1002255/1040934/1011244.html