Shimoda Marine Aquarium (下田海中水族館), an experiential aquarium located in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is holding a special exhibition titled "Marutto Teichiamitten" (まるっと定置網展 — "All About Fixed-Net Fishing") from Saturday, June 27, 2026 through Sunday, January 31, 2027.
About the "All About Fixed-Net Fishing" Exhibition
This summer's special exhibition centers on fixed-net fishing (定置網漁), a style of fishing that supports Japan's dining culture yet remains little known to many people. In recent years, with the growing awareness of the SDGs, this fishing method has also attracted attention for its role in conserving marine resources.
The exhibition introduces how fixed-net fishing works and what happens at the fishing grounds, with clear, easy-to-understand displays. Visitors can explore:
- Explanatory panels on fixed-net fishing
- A scale model of a fixed net
- Live fish tanks featuring fish actually caught in fixed nets
Period: June 27, 2026 (Saturday) – January 31, 2027 (Sunday)
Venue: Aboard the underwater aquarium ship "Aqua Dome Perry" (海中水族船「アクアドームペリー号」)
Exhibition content: Panel displays, fixed-net model, aquarium tanks
What is Fixed-Net Fishing?
Fixed-net fishing uses a massive net installed in the sea to catch fish that wander inside. The nets can stretch several hundred meters in total length. Rather than chasing fish, the fishermen wait for the fish to come to them — a style of fishing known as "waiting fishing." A wide variety of fish species are caught depending on the season.
This method is also recognized as relatively environmentally friendly, as it avoids depleting fish stocks. It has been a traditional fishing technique since the Edo period, supporting Japan's coastal fishing industry for centuries.
Special Focus: Sharks in Fixed Nets!
Many people picture sharks as dangerous creatures that attack humans — but in reality, the number of sharks that pose a threat to humans is very small. Sharks live diverse lives in oceans around the world, and they sometimes turn up in the very fixed nets that help stock Japan's dinner tables.
As a special feature of this exhibition, sharks caught in fixed nets are put in the spotlight. The exhibition explains the relationship between fixed nets and sharks, and introduces the main species of sharks that are caught this way. Visitors are encouraged to take home at least one new piece of knowledge about sharks.
