The unique joy of birdwatching from a fishing boat

The Ochiishi Nature Cruise started in 2010. It was inspired by a visitor to Nemuro who remarked that the seabirds in this area could be a tourist attraction in themselves. In 2009, a survey of the seabirds and the local environment was conducted and the cruise began the following year. From people who want to photograph seabirds to those who are hoping to catch a glimpse of a bird they have yet to encounter, bird lovers from around the world flock to this cruise.

▶Cruise participants observe birds, holding cameras and binoculars as big as bazookas. (Photo provided by Nemuro Tourism Association)

A standout feature of the Ochiishi Nature Cruise is that it offers a birdwatching experience from a fishing boat. This unique style allows participants to get a closer view of the seabirds. On a regular cruise ship, you would be looking down on seabirds from above, but on a fishing boat you are not as high up, so you can observe seabirds at about eye level. The seabirds are also accustomed to the fishing boats that are out fishing every day, so they are more likely to come closer to you.

▶A tufted puffin with its red beak. This is the only area in Japan where it is found.

▶Spectacled guillemot, which can be spotted in winter. They’re characterized by the white pattern around their eyes.(Photos provided by Hidekatsu Sawao of the Nemuro Nature Center)

The fishing boats are steered by the skilled hands of seven local fishers who responded to a call to all members of the Ochiishi Fishery Cooperative. The fishers steer the boat at a reasonable distance so as not to disrupt the ecosystem of the seabirds, while the accompanying guide keeps an eye out for seabirds and calls out directions.

Insights from one of the fishers at the helm of the boat

Yusuke Kotani is one of the fishers who works in the Ochiishi area. Born in Nemuro, he followed in his father’s footsteps to become the fourth-generation fisher in his family. He is mostly involved in octopus fishing, but he also does kombu (kelp) harvesting and sea urchin farming.

▶Fisher Yusuke Kotani spoke not only about the cruise, but also about his thoughts as a fisher.

Mr. Kotani became a boatman on the Ochiishi Nature Cruise after his father responded to a call from the Ochiishi Fishery Cooperative. He said that at first he didn’t have much interest in birds and just “ran the boat as a job.” However, on the nature cruises, he looks for the birds along with the guide. “Our guests come here to go birdwatching and they have particular birds that they want to see. They’re overjoyed when they catch a glimpse of these birds. Seeing their enjoyment makes me happy too. I’ve also become curious about birds now, so I get excited when I find a rare bird. And I feel bad if I can’t find what my guests are looking for.”

I was sure that Mr. Kotani’s daily fishing responsibilities were enough to keep him run off his feet, so I was curious why he also puts effort into the Nature Cruise. When I asked him about it, he said without hesitation, “It’s better to make people happy. I want to do everything I can to make people happy. That’s why I try hard to find the birds. To do that, I needed specific knowledge, so I studied about birds, by buying reference books and asking the guides questions. By doing so, I was able to gradually increase my knowledge.” Mr. Kotani’s motivation to work on the nature cruise was to satisfy the people who come all the way to Ochiishi to see the birds.

▶I interviewed Mr. Kotani right in the middle of the kombu harvesting season. As he spoke with me, he was sitting surrounded by kombu that was yet to be shipped.

Mr. Kotani has also broadened his experiences and knowledge through the Nature Cruise. He’s made connections with experts and university officials who visit to conduct research on marine life. “Now I know more about seals and sea otters than the guides,” he admitted with a laugh. You can also encounter sea otters on the Nature Cruise. If Mr. Kotani spots a sea otter, he’ll share information about them with the passengers. He would like to expand his activities even further, saying, “I would like to offer a service where I can show people sea otters from a kombu harvesting boat.”
The charm of birdwatching lies in the fact that the birds you can encounter differ depending on the environment. The encounters that can be experienced on an Ochiishi Nature Cruise are only possible thanks to the presence of local fishers.