Evolution of a co-management arrangement in Japanese offshore fisheries: current policy and legal framework and a case study of the tiger puffer fishery in Ise–Mikawa Bay

Abstract

Abstract This study examines Japanese offshore fisheries management by focusing on the possibilities and challenges in implementing co-management of fisheries. Offshore fisheries, characterized by a lack of clear geographical boundaries in fishing grounds and community boundaries in fishery participants, face different challenges than coastal fisheries that are managed by territorial use rights and fisheries cooperative associations. This study examines the current policy and legal framework in offshore fisheries management in Japan and uses a case study of the tiger puffer fishery in Ise–Mikawa Bay to investigate interactions among multiple fishing entities as well as interactions between resource harvesters and managers. We argue that increased participation of both national and prefectural governments in fisheries management contributes to strengthen co-management: yet, a lack of science-based harvest control rules hinders the biological and economic benefits from accruing to the fishery.