The Spatial Dynamics of Japanese Sardine (Sardinops sagax) Fishing Grounds in the Northwest Pacific: A Geostatistical Approach

The Japanese sardine (<i>Sardinops sagax</i>), a key economic species in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (NWPO), has shown significant increases in both population abundance and catch volume over the past decade. To understand its spatiotemporal dynamics under climate change, this study analyzed light purse seine fishery data (2014-2021) from the NWPO. The results showed that the primary fishing season spans March to December, with peak catches concentrated in 40-43° N, 149-155° E. Annual catches grew steadily, accelerating notably in 2021. The fishing grounds' center shifted northeastward annually and seasonally (southwest-to-northeast trajectory), driven by directional aggregation. Spatial clustering with global positive autocorrelation was observed, weakening as distance thresholds increased. Resource hotspots migrated northeast, narrowing from 40-42° N (2016) to 42-44° N (2017-2021), while coldspots showed complementary fluctuations. Generalized additive model (GAM) analysis revealed that the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of Japanese sardine in the high seas of the NWPO was governed by temporal-spatial drivers and multivariate environmental determinants. Analytical findings substantiate the significant climate-driven impacts on the spatiotemporal distribution and population dynamics of Japanese sardine. The non-stationary interannual and seasonal patterns of fishing grounds highlight the need for adaptive management strategies.