On September 30, 2026, the Chinese-language website of French international broadcaster RFI (Radio France Internationale) reported that while exports of French scallops to China have surged against the backdrop of worsening Japan-China relations, concerns are also being raised within the industry. The article stated that with China's suspension of Japanese scallop imports, approximately 20 processing plants faced a shortage of raw materials and showed strong interest in French 'Saint-Jacques scallops' as an alternative source. Last year, about 10% of France's total scallop exports of 4,000 tons went to China, representing rapid growth from nearly zero two years prior, and it is expected that export volumes will double in the fishing season starting next month. On the other hand, it was pointed out that concerns about resource depletion due to increased catch volumes are being raised by those in the fishing industry. In France, to protect the ecosystem, the fishing season is restricted from October to mid-May of the following year, and it was noted that boat size, trawl nets, and catch quotas are strictly managed. Furthermore, Eric Foucher, a researcher at the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), who has monitored resources for approximately 50 years, warned that the annual demand of 260,000 tons required to sustain Chinese factories far exceeds France's overall production capacity, and that further intensification of fishing should be avoided for resource protection. Moreover, the current situation where climate change, such as rising sea temperatures, and mass outbreaks of natural predators like octopuses are threatening the habitat was also mentioned. Regarding aquaculture, when facing the crisis of resource collapse in the 1960s and 70s, a method of learning Japanese techniques and releasing spat into the sea was introduced, but large-scale implementation is difficult due to cost and technical difficulties, and the proportion of farmed scallops in the current total catch remains less than 1%. In addition, the article mentioned that an industry insider told French media that it is questionable whether China would continue to buy from France if the Japanese and Chinese governments reconcile as early as tomorrow, thus showing a cautious stance toward complete reliance on the Chinese market. (Edited and Translated by Kawajiri)