noun
whitebait fishing; fishing for young anchovy, sardines, etc.
Refers specifically to the fishing of juvenile fish like anchovy and sardines, collectively called しらす in Japanese.
春になると、沿岸ではしらす漁が盛んになる。
In spring, whitebait fishing becomes active along the coast.
しらす refers to the juvenile fish themselves, while しらす漁 is the act or industry of fishing for them.
Compound of しらす (whitebait, juvenile fish) and 漁 (fishing).