Homing behavior of adult Japanse seabass Lateolabrax japonicus in rivers of the Oita Plain

This study is mainly focused on the migratory behavior of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas. There were two main parts to this study; the first part from a survey undertaken where anglers from around Japan were encouraged to report seabass caught with tags. This survey revealed that 275 of 386 seabass caught with tags were reported from their original rivers of initial capture, and 4 were reported from the same river system as their original river. The rest were reported from the sea. The second part is from a survey where seabass caught and tagged from the Oita and Ono Rivers were released in interchanged rivers (transplant-release). 11 of 12 seabass re-caught had returned to their original rivers of initial capture. Results of the present study indicate that adult L. japonicas are exclusive to a particular river.