2022/03/05
We OBIRAME Restoration Group is a grassroots environment organization around the Shiribetsu river in Hokkaido island with local anglers, biologists and journalists who strongly concerned about the critical situation of the endangered OBIRAME. OBIRAME means the Japanese huchen in the Shiribetsu river from indigenous Ainu language.
We aim to realize the river where OBIRAME can live forever, and the river where you can enjoy OBIRAME fishing in the future with local people, supporters around the world, companies and administrative organs.
It seems the conservation of endangered species conflicts with angling. To achieve both, anglers must take the initiative. We believe the following four practices are necessary.
1. If you catch a fish, release it.
“These fish are too valuable to be caught only once.”―Lee Wulff
Mother fish lay 3,000 to 10,000 eggs at a time. If you kill one parent fish, you take the lives of many future generations that would have been born. You don’t want to see the extinction of the small herds that barely remain, do you?
If you catch a fish, keep it in the water as long as possible and treat it gently. You should use the strong line, reel, rod and a verbless single hook. That action will lead both you and the fish to a brighter future. When the fish return safely to the river, everyone will turn into a smiling face.
Safety release techniques for anglers by Mr. J. Sakata and Mr. M. Ide.
2. Don't fish during the spawning season.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
As the OBIRAME increase in numbers, so will the chances of encountering them (it depends on your skill, though). Once a year, during the spring breeding season, from April 1 to May 31, put your fishing rod away in its case and warmly watch the drama of fish love!
We OBIRAME Restoration Grope are monitoring the breeding ground of OBIRAME every spring. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.
3. Do not park on farm roads or farmland.
The watershed is a cultivated area. Some farmers are also interested in restoring and conserving the OBIRAME stocks. Farmers and fishermen alike share the same concern for endangered species. If you get into trouble with the local farmers, it will ruin the fun of fishing. Please avoid trouble and enjoy a safe and enjoyable day of fishing.
4. Let's fill the river with fish, not trash.
Rivers are inherently beautiful. And rivers may be like mirrors that reveal the state of our hearts and minds.
The day when you can fully enjoy fishing in the beautiful river scenery anytime you visit will not happen if you just wait and see. Put one garbage bag in your pocket when you go out to the fishing grounds. Let's make the river, in the hands of anglers, more beautiful than when we came.
Hokkaido Natural Environment Division presents “For the Protection of Japanese huchen, a Rare Fish Species”
In March 2009, the Hokkaido Natural Environment Division, Specified Species Group issued a leaflet titled "For the Protection of Japanese huchen, a Rare Fish Species," asking for cooperation in protecting Japanese huchen in the middle and upper reaches of upstream rivers and spawning grounds during the spawning season from March to May.
The seven municipalities in the Shiribetsu River basin that make up the Shiribetsu River Liaison Council have the Common Ordinance on River Environment Conservation. Article 17 of that ordinance stipulates that "special consideration shall be given to the protection of rare species, including the Japanese huchen, the largest freshwater fish in Japan.