Saury catches from August to the end of September this year totaled about 28,500 tons -- a 2.4-fold increase from the same period last year. The Japan Fisheries Information Service Center will start a service next fishing season that shows expected fishing grounds for saury by size class based on analysis using artificial intelligence technology. The Tokyo-based group of fisheries organizations provides information on fishing and ocean conditions. Since 2020, the group provides its predictions of likely saury fishing spots using AI, based on seawater temperature changes and past fishing records. The accuracy of the predictions has improved year after year.

Japanese fish industries are starting to use artificial intelligence to select high-quality fish at markets and find good fishing grounds, areas where they have traditionally relied largely on experience and intuition. AI tools are drawing attention because they can easily replicate proficient skills, including those needed to evaluate tuna quality and determine good spots to catch saury. When judging the quality of fish, buyers look at how fresh and firm the meat is and how much fat it puts on. "You need over 10 years of experience" to acquire an excellent eye, a fish market worker said. Advertising giant Dentsu Inc. and others jointly developed and put into practical use a smartphone app that enables users to easily pick out delicious tuna.