Water Pollution and Japan's Declining Fish Catch

The decline in Japan's fish catch that started in 1989 can be attributed mainly to stock depletions due to overfishing in deep seas and offshore waters and polluting of water in inland and coastal waters. Animal wastes, nitrogen, phosphate fertilizer, and pesticides are the most serious sources of water pollution originating from the agricultural sector. Household wastes are another major source of water pollution affecting Japan's inland and coastal fish resources.