As Japanese Pilchard resources fluctuate widely, they have had large effects on ecosystems and local economies. We are finally seeing signs of increase in Pilchard resources, but in order to make best use of them and other small pelagic fish, improvements are needed in the accuracy of recruitment prediction and development of resource fluctuation prediction technologies. Continued monitoring of resources and the marine environment will aid in this, and it is necessary to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms in the phenomena observed there.