We have long since reached a crossroads where we must reexamine the relationship between people and the ocean.
Issues such as declining catches, problems with successors, and responses to climate change and international resource management have all long been concerns in the fishing industry. To overcome these complex issues, dialogue among a variety of actors rooted in the field and a willingness to work together to create a sustainable future are required.
The 2024nd Fisheries Future Summit (hosted by Fisherman Japan Marketing and Global Ocean Works) was held in Kagoshima Prefecture from February 2 to March 28, 3. Approximately 1 people from around the country, including fishermen, media, researchers, NGOs, and students, gathered for the two days to consider the present and future of the fishing industry from multiple perspectives and engage in in-depth discussion.
Now that we have heard real voices from the field, heard dialogue across generations, and been exposed to new challenges emerging in various regions, we would like to share with you in the form of a field report from the Seafood Legacy members who participated in this event what we think about the future of this industry and how we will act.
In the keynote speech on the first day, Professor Takahiro Matsui of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology outlined the structural challenges facing Japan's fishing industry, and, through an analysis of resource assessments and fishing statistics, highlighted the reality facing the current fishing industry.
Japan's fish catches have declined significantly since peaking in 1984.Despite rising market prices, rising fuel and feed prices, as well as the impact of IUU fishery products entering the market, have caused production value to fall to nearly half of its peak, and fishermen's incomes have decreased.
And even though fishing techniques have improved year by year,Per capita catch has remained unchanged since 2002This data indicates that marine resources themselves are steadily decreasing.
Furthermore, while global fishing production continues to increase, it has declined dramatically around Japan. This is due not only to global warming but also to the way resources have been managed up to now.
For this reason, he emphasized that resource management based on scientific data and the creation of mechanisms to increase distribution transparency are particularly important for Japan's fishing industry on the ground.
The foundation of a sustainable fishing industry requires accurate visualization of the current situation.
In the panel discussion that followed, fishermen from all over the country spoke about their own "challenges" and "questions."
"Until now, fishermen have adapted to the sea, but from now on, they will need to think about how they can adapt to the sea," said Tsuyonori Hayashi, a gillnet fisherman with the Namishinkai association who came from Hokkaido.
Young people from all over Japan, including Osaka and Tochigi, gather under Hayashi to learn fishing in a practical setting. Unlike Hayashi, they do not come from fishermen families, but they are interested in the work of fishermen and travel all the way to Hokkaido to learn.
"Until now, the ocean has adjusted to the amount fishermen wanted to catch. From now on, fishermen need to think about how they can adapt to the ocean," says Hayashi, who adds that they choose to go out fishing during spawning seasons and other times to protect resources. He accepts the reality that "in the ocean today, when you can catch something, you can catch something, and when you can't, you can't," and values the ability to flexibly respond to the changing marine environment and resource situation.
As the lack of young successors in the fishing industry as a whole was mentioned at the Tokyo Sustainable Seafood Summit held in 2024, the average age of Japanese fishing industry workers is expected to be 2022 years old as of 56.4. It has also been pointed out that the number of fishing industry workers, which was approximately 12.3 people*1 in the same year, may decrease to approximately 2050 people*7 by around 2 if things continue as they are.
*1 From the Fisheries Agency's "Illustrated Guide to Japan's Fisheries"https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/koho/pr/pamph/attach/pdf/index-14.pdf
*2 From the Fisheries Agency's "Reform of Fisheries Policy"https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/council/seisaku/kikaku/attach/pdf/190214-3.pdf
Amid concerns about the shortage of young fishermen, the youngest panelist was Yuichiro Nomura (Umimori Suisan) from Kagoshima Prefecture. He is 28 years old, and works with a young team whose average age is 35, using purse seine and fixed net fishing. They also consider the sustainability of resources by releasing thin fish.
There was also another young fisherman who spoke of wanting to increase the number of people who aspire to become fishermen. Sho Hashimoto of Okusui Sengyogang in Aomori Prefecture is active in the many roles of fisherman, buyer, food stall owner, and music festival organizer. He is also proactive in teaching nutritional education at kindergartens and in recruiting Indonesian people, and said, "Rather than making the next generation take over the fishing business, I want them to be people who want to take over." There are sure to be many who look up to him as he enjoys his work and builds connections with the local community.
The panel discussion also featured fishermen stepping up to help rebuild the region after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and people working on measures to attract people to the region as a whole in order to rebuild a city at risk of disappearing. As one way of revitalizing the entire region, one speaker said, "The idea that 'sea industry' is not just about catching fish is spreading, and we are seeing new possibilities by integrating it with tourism, education, and the sixth industrialization of the fishing industry." The importance of viewing the fishing industry as a "surface" rather than a "point" and supporting it as a whole region was discussed, and the audience sympathized. The sustainability of the fishing industry is inextricably linked to the sustainability of not only the fishing grounds but the entire local community.
On the first night, a social gathering was held to deepen the connections between the participants. They enjoyed fresh seafood delivered by fishermen from all over the country and had a chance to talk freely.
On the morning of the second day of the summit,ASC certifiedWe visited the Amberjack farm of Global Ocean Works, which has obtained the Certification for Marine Products and Marine Products. The company uses the latest technology in aquaculture. The company also works to reduce the environmental impact of aquaculture, collaborates with local high school students, and utilizes local resources.
While touring the aquaculture facility, I recalled the panel discussion from the previous day, which highlighted the economic issues surrounding the aquaculture industry. The soaring feed prices are particularly serious, and it was said that because the cost of aquaculture production is soaring, it is necessary to create a system to expand the market not only domestically but also to export, where it can be sold at a higher price.
To ensure the sustainability of aquaculture, it is essential to address not only the costs mentioned above, but also the environmental impact, working conditions, and relationships with the local community.
On the second day, in the "Theme Discussion," where all participants discussed the issues and action plans for fisheries reform, we divided into groups and discussed specific themes, such as actions against IUU fishing and actions to further spread certified seafood. Every word I said to the fishermen during the discussions has stayed in my mind. And when I heard that they have witnessed IUU fishing that occurs all over Japan, as well as IUU seafood imported from overseas, I felt that it is important to have a system in place that properly manages resources by setting aside periods of time to fish and that properly evaluates fishermen who fish flexibly, not just for money but also with the environment in mind.
Throughout the two-day summit, what impressed me most was the "power of dialogue that transcends differences in position." Although the majority of participants were fishermen, participants came from a variety of backgrounds, including NGOs, researchers, and students, and ideas and opinions were exchanged from multiple perspectives.
NGOs and researchers are listening to the voices of those in the field, fishermen are respecting scientific data, and students and other young people are working together with fishermen to promote the joys of fishing. In these situations, I realized that the soil for "co-creation" necessary for the future of the fishing industry is certainly beginning to take root.
Until now, I have looked at the fishing industry from a bird's-eye view of policy and corporate initiatives. However, by attending this summit for the first time, which brought together people from the fishing industry in Japan, I was able to hear the real voices of fishermen and gain a deeper understanding of the "real world" that lies beyond the systems.
What was particularly moving was seeing the fishermen not becoming pessimistic about the mountain of problems, but instead trying to look forward and have fun while searching for solutions. For example, at Marutoku Fisheries on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, they organize tours to let tourists know about environmental issues such as coastal denudation and driftwood, and to allow them to actually see the site and experience how to prepare sea urchins, which are believed to be the cause of these problems. When they said, "Showing not only the good points but also the bad points will help raise awareness of the issues," I could sense the ingenuity of the fishermen, who start by "communicating" the issues, and then think about them together and get people involved.
Even now, fishing and aquaculture still face many challenges, but fishermen are the ones who are most directly facing and feeling the decline in marine products on the ground, and that is why they are the ones who are best placed to convey this to local people. I would like to continue supporting the driving force that brings about positive change in the situation on the ground.
Text by Yukino Tomizuka, Comms & Branding Officer, Seafood Legacy
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