Japanese Fisheries Research Articles

Stakeholder perceptions and policy implications of voluntary and government-led individual quota systems in japanese fisheries co-management: A case study of purse seine fisheries in the sea of Japan

Co-management, a governance system in which governmental authorities and local communities share resource management responsibilities, is increasingly recognized worldwide for its potential to reconcile natural resource conservation with livelihood goals. This case study examines the perceptions of diverse stakeholders regarding the effects of introducing both voluntary and government-led Individual Quota (IQ) systems in Japanese fishery co-management, spanning governance, economics, sustainability, and social aspects. Employing an integrated mixed method approach, the study combines qualitative interviews and questionnaires with quantitative analysis of before-and-after catch data. After the introduction of the voluntary IQ system in 2017, 67 % of the stakeholders acknowledged improvements in overall performance. The favorable findings from various perspectives reflect not only the stakeholders' profound confidence in the system but also their satisfaction with the matured co-management process. However, qualitative results from the case also indicate that the government-led IQ system implemented since 2022 primarily imposes rigidity on the existing voluntary system, while failing to provide sufficient incentives for fishers to transition effectively. Effective incentives are essential, including increased transparency in resource management, greater flexibility in managing catch quotas, and facilitating consensus on the liberalization of fishing vessel sizes. Continuous evaluation is crucial, and the government-led IQ system should be adaptively improved.

What stock-per recruit target can be applied to Japanese fisheries resources under large uncertainties in the stock-recruitment relationship?

What stock-per recruit target can be applied to Japanese fisheries resources under large uncertainties in the stock-recruitment relationship?

Lower thermal tolerance restricts vertical distributions for juvenile albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the northern limit of their habitats

IntroductionEvaluating the thermal tolerance of commercially valuable tuna species and their behavioral responses to the limits of this tolerance is essential for evaluating the effects of changes in water temperature driven by global climate change on their distribution and fisheries. We aimed to identify the lower thermal tolerance (Tmin) of juvenile albacore tuna (ALB) and evaluate their behavioral response to Tmin by focusing on wild behavior in the northern distributional limit. Additionally, we investigated how vertical behavior is linked to the vulnerability of ALB to Japanese longline (LL) and pole-and-line (PL) fisheries.MethodsWe explored the swimming depths and water temperatures of four previously reported tagged individuals migrating from subtropical to temperate areas and identified Tmin and its depths in the water column as unfavorable depths (DTmin). To investigate the spatial patterns of ALB fishery grounds for LL and PL fisheries, we analyzed hotspots specific to each type of gear using the historical Japanese fishery logbook for both fisheries.ResultsComparisons of the fishery grounds between the two fisheries revealed that PL hotspots appeared in the northern areas, while LL hotspots were in the southern regions. We also discovered that the vertical distribution of ALB became shallow in high-latitude areas, which were strongly affected by DTmin shallowing at high latitudes.DiscussionThese results provide evidence of a behavioral response among juvenile ALB that avoids Tmin by remaining at the surface. We discuss the implications of the results for latitudinal changes in the vulnerability of ALB to fisheries in terms of the overlapping depth between ALB vertical habitats and the gear-setting depth for each fishery.

Формирование и современная структура рыбохозяйственной науки Японии

Russia has a long-standing, albeit difficult, relationship in the field of fisheries with Japan, including close scientific and technical cooperation. The domestic specialized literature contains little information about the scientific support of the Japanese fishing industry. To fill this gap, the article provides information about the process of formation of fisheries science in Japan, its components at the present time, and the legislative regulation of this area. An analysis of the relationship between the state and the entire scientific community working in the interests of the fishing industry is given. Japanese fisheries science is assessed as a highly structured, complex system. The main problems in this area at present are given.

The influence of new sustainable fisheries policies on seafood company practices and consumer awareness in Japan

Effective fisheries policy is critical to achieving sustainable transitions in the seafood industry. Here, we present a conceptual framework demonstrating how interactions between private sector actors, seafood consumers, and new fisheries policies can influence policy effectiveness. We then apply this framework to Japan, which recently implemented two new fisheries policies to develop sustainable fisheries: the Reformed Fisheries Policy (RFP), and a policy to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The former introduced an individual quota system based on total allowable catch and maximum sustainable yield. The latter altered rules around catch documentation to enhance traceability and transparency in the supply chain. Through interviews with companies involved in fishing tuna and importing mackerel, and surveys with seafood consumers, we investigate understandings of, opinions on, and responses to, these new policies. While the new policies led companies to change some of their operating and corporate sustainability practices, these were viewed unfavourably. Tuna fishing companies shared concerns around the RFP's inequitable quota allocations, believing quotas would reduce fisher incomes, company profits, and deter young people from entering the industry. Mackerel importing companies were unclear how to implement the new the Anti-IUU policy in their day-to-day operations. Meanwhile, consumer awareness on seafood sustainability was low. A lack of engagement between private sector actors, consumers, and policy makers was also evident, with greater communication and collaboration needed. Annual meetings, media campaigns, and partnerships with advocacy groups are recommended as ways to address this, to help ensure transitional change in Japanese fisheries is realised.

The impact of Japanese nuclear wastewater discharge into the sea on the global economy: Input-output model approach

As the division of work within the world economic system becomes increasingly complex, the impact of disturbing events on the economic system is expanding. Recently, Japan proposed to discharge nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, which will cause damage to marine fisheries, thereby seriously affecting fisheries and other industries in Japan and other countries and regions around the world. Considering different scenarios of final and intermediate demand shifting, this paper uses the Inoperability Input-Output Model (IIM) and Multi-Region Input-Output Model (MRIO) to simulate the economic consequences of nuclear wastewater discharge in Japan and calculate the economic changes of each industry and country (region). The results show that: In the short term, when only the final demand for Japanese fishery products decreases. (1) The ten countries (regions) with significant economic losses are Japan, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Canada, Chile, South Africa, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. (2) The ten countries (regions) with a significant increase in total output due to demand shift are China (People's Republic of), the Rest of the World, India, Indonesia, Viet Nam, the Philippines, Brazil, Myanmar, the Russian Federation, and Malaysia. (3) A ranking of changes in the total output of different industries. In the long term, when both intermediate and final demand for Japanese fishery products decrease. (4) The change in value added in Japan. (5) The change in value added of 67 countries (regions) worldwide. The ten countries (regions) with the most significant increase in value-added are the Russian Federation, China (People's Republic of), the Rest of the World, the United States, Indonesia, Australia, Norway, Korea, Viet Nam, and Myanmar. The ten countries (regions) with the most significant decrease in value-added are Japan, Chinese Taipei, Chile, South Africa, Peru, Thailand, Mexico, Cambodia, Costa Rica, and Morocco. Changes in value added of 45 industrial sectors worldwide.

Science-policy-public interface toward ocean sustainability: An empirical study using legal documents, scientific publications, and public inquiry logs in Japan

Many countries have governmental fisheries science organizations, each of which should play a critical role in achieving ocean sustainability by leading the fisheries science in each country’s specific contexts and beyond. In the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science (UNDOS), understanding the interface of science, policy, and public interest around fisheries is increasingly recognized as critically important for realizing effective knowledge exchange and co-creating desired futures. This study aims to illuminate the interface of the above three facets as a guide to have better outcomes in the UNDOS timeframe. We used a case study of Japan – a country with extensive seafood production and consumption, and analyzed 1) the scientific performance of the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (JFRA), a national fisheries research organization in the country through peer-reviewed papers published by JFRA researchers from 2004–2018, 2) policy needs through annual white papers published by Fisheries Agency from 1989–2018, and 3) public interest around fisheries through public inquiry logs accumulated at JFRA from 2004–2018. The results indicated the following: 1) JFRA was originally a part of fisheries policies, and both science and policy were inherently based on the fisheries practices in the “real world” in Japan. However, over the last fifteen years, the scientific performance has heavily focused on bio-physical dimensions of fisheries such areas as “Stock assessment,” “Fisheries Oceanography,” and “Stock enhancement.” 2) Japanese fisheries policy priority has shifted from relatively simple, straightforward keywords focusing on primary fisheries production (from 1989 to 1998) to more complex, multidimensional fisheries systems, including marine resources, producers, processors, and consumers in/outside of the country (from 2009–2018) over the last three decades. 3) Public fisheries/ocean literacy seems limited, despite the rich history of seafood consumption, cultural bond with fisheries, and inherent close relationship among fisheries science, policy, and resource users. Based on the results, we discuss that JFRA sciences, fisheries policy, and the public are contemporary pursuing different interests. To overcome this situation, one important area that JFRA (and any other marine/fisheries research organizations) needs is to reconnect science and public interest through strengthening human dimension works and science communication. For the public side, literacy development among wider stakeholders is one of the most emergent works to be addressed. This is one of the first case studies of science-policy-public interface through empirical data, particularly with the public inquiry log, and the “non-Western” country case study on this topic. This will encourage other empirical studies from countries with various social/cultural/political backgrounds to enrich the perspective of fisheries science-policy-public interface studies globally.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Fisheries Oceanography

I would like to express my sincere congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the founding of Fisheries Oceanography. At that time, Professor T. R. Parsons of the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Professor Takashige Sugimoto of the Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo led the preparations for the establishment of an international academic journal “Fisheries Oceanography (FOG)” with the aim of deepening the discipline of fisheries oceanography on a global scale. The Japanese Society of Fisheries Oceanography (JSFO) defines the main research areas of fisheries oceanography as (1) oceanographic conditions that define the distribution of fishery-useful species, (2) oceanographic tools for estimating the abundance of target species and the productivity of fishing grounds, (3) oceanographic conditions for predicting changes in distribution and abundance, and (4) oceanographic contributions to the enhancement and development of fishery productivity. There were growing expectations for the establishment of an international academic journal that would meet these requirements. Prior to the journal establishment, JSFO held the 30th Anniversary Symposium “Promising Fisheries Oceanography in Japan” in Japan in 1991, and in 1986, the 25th Anniversary Symposium “Fisheries and Fisheries Oceanography in the Coming Century” was held in Tokyo, inviting Dr. D. H. Cushing (UK) and Dr. R. Lasker (USA) as keynote speakers. These symposia gave the momentum to publish the journal with an association in Japan. In the end, FOG was first published by Blackwell Scientific Publications (UK) in 1992 with JSFO as the sponsoring association. Now published by John Wiley & Sons, FOG has been the international journal of the JSFO since 2001. At that time, I had just started my research career and I remember that I had been supporting Professor Sugimoto in his efforts to encourage more important and cutting-edge papers to be submitted to the journal and to develop it into a high-level international academic journal. On this occasion of the 30th anniversary of FOG, it is with great emotion that I address you as the President of JSFO. Researchers in fisheries oceanography are expected to develop research related to both fisheries and the ocean that is closely linked to the field of fishing, and FOG has the scent of fish and the scent of the ocean. FOG is a unique international academic journal, and it can be said to be an international academic journal that was inspired by Professor Michitaka Uda, the first president of the JSFO. The FOG not only strives for the exploration of fisheries oceanography as a basic science but has also made a great contribution to the development of fisheries oceanography by producing many talented human resources to educational/research institutions, government agencies, and industry. Many Japanese fisheries oceanographers have contributed to FOG, and I am very proud to be one of them. On the other hand, the current situation surrounding the oceans is changing dramatically, as exemplified by the marine litter/plastic problem, the development of marine renewable energy, and global warming. In addition to exploring the universal principles of the natural world, there is an increasing need to develop research that integrates natural science with social science, such as international maritime law and ocean policy, in order to solve the various problems facing human society. Furthermore, in addition to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a new marine legal order, such as the marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), is being sought, which will contribute to conservation of biological diversity, but may make free and open research even more difficult because many countries relate to the order and regulate each other too much, even for purely basic scientific inquiry. FOG is expected to continue to make a significant role to the development of fisheries oceanography, but it will also be required to conduct research that directly contributes to measures for the sustainable use of marine living resources. The Japanese Society of Fisheries Oceanography will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022. The JSFO is committed to contributing to the further development of Fisheries Oceanography, and we hope that FOG will continue to be a bridge that connects fisheries oceanographers around the world. At the end of this article, I would like to wish FOG continued success.

Scallop aquaculture has a potential risk of natto-induced hypersensitivity reactions in a local area of northern Japan

BackgroundFermented soybean (natto)-induced hypersensitivity reactions (natto allergy) are rare and can result in late-onset anaphylaxis. The allergen in natto is considered to be poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA), and marine sports are a risk factor for natto allergy due to epicutaneous sensitization to PGA from cnidarian stings. However, no research on natto allergy in fishery workers has yet been performed. MethodsWe conducted a chart review of inpatients diagnosed with anaphylaxis due to natto at Hokkaido Prefectural Haboro Hospital between April 1, 2009, and August 31, 2020. We also administered self-report questionnaires about food hypersensitivity reactions to Japanese fishery workers, including members of the Kitarumoi Fishery Cooperative Association and part-time workers in this area, from February 1 to May 31, 2021. ResultsWe found six inpatients (29 inpatients with food-induced anaphylaxis among approximately 11,000 community-dwelling residents) with late-onset anaphylaxis due to natto; all were involved in scallop aquaculture. The questionnaires revealed that 27 participants had natto allergy. We divided the fishery workers into a scallop aquaculture (Scallop) group (n = 211) and other fishery group (n = 106). The Scallop group was significantly associated with natto allergy after adjustments for confounders (OR: 5.73, 95% CI: 1.46–22.56) by logistic regression analysis. In the Scallop group, older age, experience in repairing nets, and a longer length of work experience were significantly related to participants with natto allergy (n = 23), but not participants without natto allergy (n = 181). ConclusionsOur results indicated an association between scallop aquaculture and natto allergy.

Pacific salmon: status of stocks and prospects for the fishery

Dynamics of the pacific salmon landing is reviewed. Mean registered domestic catch of these species was about 175,000 t per year in 1925–2021, but taking into account other estimations, as the volume of Japanese fishery, at least 250 . 103 t of salmon spawned in the Russian waters (within present-day borders) were withdrawn annually in this period. The potentially maximum annual catch of the Russian-originated pacific salmon is estimated around 350 . 103 t. Under current conditions for the Russian fishery, the annual catch of pacific salmon is unlikely to be less than 140–150 . 103 t in low-productive years and less than 220–250 . 103 t in high-productive years. For the next decade, annual catch of pacific salmon will supposedly exceed these thresholds in 100–120 . 103 t.

The COVID-19 impacts and challenges to achieving sustainability in Japan’s fisheries and aquaculture

The Japanese fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood sectors have been undergoing continuous transformation affected by economic downturns due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Analyses of the COVID-19 impacts on fishery, aquaculture and seafood sectors in six sites in different parts of Japan exhibit that the impacts of the economic recession due to the pandemic differ between sectors, species, and local communities. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were multiplied by other national and international policy changes as well as other factors such as fish stock depletion and the possible relocation of fish stocks due to sea water temperature change. Stagnating demand for fisheries may give incentives to reinforce conservation and introduce new schemes aimed at seafood sustainability. There can be, however, a possible driver for a vicious cycle that induces overfishing and fish price deterioration. Stakeholder ingenuity and policy innovation are required to achieve sustainable fisheries.

Exploring the governance dilemma of nuclear wastewater in Fukushima: A tripartite evolutionary game model

The rational treatment of Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge is a crucial problem that discharge countries and even interest-related groups should pay more attention to. Therefore, how to find an effective mean is the key to solving the governance dilemma and achieving marine sustainable development. In this study, we establish a tripartite evolutionary game including International Atomic Energy Agency (IO), the discharge country (DC) and Japanese Fisheries Associations (FCA) to propose the managerial insights for international cooperation. From the discussion, we find that the evolutionary convergence of tripartite behaviors shows a high dependent degree where the environment-oriented IO may force DC to take strict compliance. Additionally, the stable evolutionary equilibrium indicates IO should coordinate the benefits of DC and FCA to ensure marine sustainability. Furthermore, inspired by the governances, and international supervision and compensation mechanism for nuclear wastewater can efficiently reduce the probability of governance dilemma.

Exploring economic optimum fishing efforts: a case of Japanese swordfish longline fishery

Exploring economic optimum fishing efforts: a case of Japanese swordfish longline fishery

How has the 'customary nature' of Japanese fisheries reacted to Covid-19? An interdisciplinary study examining the impacts of the pandemic in 2020

Like many other countries, the economy and society of Japan have been deeply affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, and the fishery sector is no exception. This study takes an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the economic and social impacts of the pandemic on Japanese fisheries, gauging the extent and nature of the damages incurred from Covid-19 while helping to provide tailored post-recovery recommendations for the industry. Using results from an online survey questionnaire (N = 429) and compiling additional economic information from public sources, this study revealed the overwhelmingly negative changes in sales figures and overall financial security that survey participants experienced when compared to a year earlier. High-value and fresh fish species were also significantly affected in 2020 across Japan, in line with similar trends across the developed world. Aquaculture businesses were shown to be more vulnerable to the spread of Covid-19 than small-scale fishing operations, which tend to be more diverse and flexible. Bonding social capital was also shown to be important for mutual help and human well-being, especially among small-scale fishers. This “customary nature” of Japanese fisheries, at the same time, can be seen as a barrier to the transformation of the industry. Given these results, several policy implications are discussed to help fisheries stakeholders and their communities build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The development of “Blue Seafood Guide,” a sustainable seafood rating program, and its implication in Japan

Marine fish stocks have declined globally over the past half-century, and raising awareness of sustainable fisheries and seafood consumption has become a critical issue. The Blue Seafood Guide was launched as Japan’s first sustainable seafood rating program in 2013 with limited fisheries' data. In 2018, an original science-based methodology was incorporated into the guide to balance scientific rigor against the data deficiencies inherent in common Japanese management practices, including a lack of sufficient output control and catch information. This paper aims to illustrate why and how the Blue Seafood Guide (BSG), Japan’s first sustainable seafood rating program, was developed to best suit Japan's insufficient data infrastructure to raise awareness around sustainable seafood consumption. Also, it explains how the BSG attempted to create a nexus between fishery certificates and rating programs. In 2020, new legislation and Japanese fisheries policy reforms led to the implementation of catch documentation and import control rules. As a result, the Japanese fishing industry is experiencing a revolutionary transition to a global standard for sustainable fisheries. The BSG focuses on the nexus of science and policy and seeks to establish collaboration between certification and rating programs to accomplish its mission of encouraging sustainable seafood consumption positively and protecting the oceans for generations to come. This paper also summarized BSG’s implementation activities for awareness rising in Japan. At the discussion, we summarize lessons learnt and demonstrate perspectives for those who intend to develop seafood rating programs in other countries or areas similar to Japan.

Blue revitalization or dispossession? Reform of common resource management in Japanese small‐scale fisheries

AbstractBased on in‐depth anthropological field research in rural Japan, this paper analyses the ongoing reform of Japanese fishery governance and its social and environmental justice implications, as globally proliferating discourses on the ‘blue economy’ and ‘blue growth’ are driving the enclosure of one of the last vestiges of natural resource commons in small‐scale fisheries. Coastal fisheries in Japan are often idealized as one of the last bastions of resource co‐management in an industrialized country, with local cooperatives collectively controlling territorial fishing rights. However, demographic change, declining profitability, and dwindling resource stocks are challenging their viability. Reform of the fishery law, designed to stimulate new growth and industrialization – particularly in aquaculture – includes the opening up of coastal fishery resources to corporate investors, the strengthening of top‐down regulation, and the introduction of individual fishing quotas (IQ). The desire to boost domestic seafood production also has to be seen within the context of the double anxiety of high dependency on international trade for foodstuff and of Japan's vanishing rurality. This emphasis on private capital and presupposed economic and scientific rationality builds on the same rationale of blue economy and blue growth discourses, which promise financial along with ecological returns on large‐scale investments in sustainable ocean economies. Growth‐oriented reform in Japan now imperils successful resource co‐management in coastal small‐scale fisheries. Its analysis therefore offers deeper insights into the transformative as well as dispossessive potential of the global paradigmatic shift towards an intensified industrial exploitation of the oceans. The question of social and environmental justice is central in the re‐allocation of access rights to ocean spaces and resources and the re‐arrangement of decision‐making processes in fishery governance, as local fishing communities face a very real threat of dispossession and disempowerment.

Can the Japanese fisheries qualify for MSC certification?

Among various ecolabeling schemes, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the largest certifier of seafood ecolabel for the wild caught fish in the world. An increasing number of fisheries in the world have applied for MSC certification. However, Japanese pre-assessed fisheries, one of the largest seafood producers, have not been keen on applying for the MSC certification. In this paper, we examine whether Japanese pre-assessed fisheries can qualify for MSC certification by using MSC pre-assessment scores of 53 fisheries in Japan. To understand these Japanese pre-assessed fisheries’ place in the world, we compared scores of these fisheries with those of the MSC certified fisheries. By using descriptive statistics, and cluster analyses, we found that most of the Japanese pre-assessed fisheries do not meet the MSC standards. Among other things, The Japanese pre-assessed fisheries targeting at total allowable catch (TAC) species are relatively well managed in terms of stock rebuilding, harvest strategy, and harvest control rules compared with other stock assessed, or non-assessed fish species. A cluster analysis sorted the Japanese pre-assessed fisheries with a good stock status into the similar clusters to the MSC fisheries. Difference in scores between the Japanese and MSC fisheries is ecological performance including approach for bycatch and endangered species. We found that the Japanese fisheries have a possibility to be strong candidates by adopting bycatch strategies.

Revenue Sharing and Social Capital in Community-Based Resource Management: Empirical Evidence from Japanese Surf-Clam Fisheries

Revenue Sharing and Social Capital in Community-Based Resource Management: Empirical Evidence from Japanese Surf-Clam Fisheries

Fishy SPS Measures? The WTO's Korea – Radionuclides Dispute

AbstractThe Korea–Radionuclides case addresses Korean SPS measures imposed on Japanese fishery products after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant meltdown in 2011. Japan challenged these measures as more restrictive than necessary under the SPS Agreement. The panel agreed with Japan, but this ruling was largely reversed by the Appellate Body. Korea's victory at the Appellate Body was based on procedure. The panel accepted Korea's appropriate level of protection (ALOP), which included both quantitative and qualitative elements. However, the Appellate Body found that the panel only addressed the quantitative aspect of Korea's ALOP and reversed on that basis. The Appellate Body's ruling did not affirmatively find that Korea's SPS measures were legal under WTO rules. Instead, the Appellate Body found that panel had not sufficiently addressed Korea's arguments and, thereby, the panel could not determine that the SPS measures were more restrictive than necessary. The case highlights the need for the Appellate Body to be able to conduct its own factual analysis, a power it could be given if the dispute settlement system is reformed. Without independent fact-finding power, the Appellate Body cannot correct panels’ mistakes, and respondents can prevail based on panel error.

Oyster Cultivation Betting on Foreign Workers: A Study of Indonesian Workers in Hiroshima

One of the reasons foreign workers are looking for jobs abroad is that there are not enough jobs in their home countries. Indonesia is one of the countries that send migrant workers to more developed Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The increasingly rapid flow of globalization in the world goes together with the need for new workers to fill the industry, especially in Japan. This condition has forced Japan to open doors for foreign workers from developing countries to satisfy demand. These workers usually come from developing countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and others. In general, they occupy the less desirable working positions over Japanese youth, the so-called 3D work (dirty, dangerous, and demanding). Therefore, the current dynamics of these migrant workers' life in Japan becomes an exciting subject to comprehend, especially for the Indonesian migrant workers. This study aims to determine the dynamics of Indonesian worker's life while working in the Japanese fisheries sector. In particular, the study looks at those who work in oyster cultivation in Hiroshima prefecture. This research was carried out using descriptive analysis methods and field study with in-depth interviews conducted from 2016-2018. The interviews performed in this study were structured to find answers for the following questions: What problems do the workers face while living in Japan? What kind of processes did they go through before coming to Japan? While working in the Japanese fishing industry, how was their life as a Muslim minority?