[Series] Part 2 - Discussion among ocean stakeholders - Considering the future management of Japan's fisheries resources

In the second part of our series on the future of fisheries resource management in Japan, we have received a contribution from Yuki Tsuda, president and CEO of Fisherman Japan Marketing Co., Ltd. Please take a look at his opinion, which can only be gained from someone who knows the situation on the ground.

I have been working as a fishmonger, delivering fish to restaurants and individual customers, based at the fish market in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. As I purchase fish every day, I have noticed that the amount of fish is decreasing year by year. Not only is the catch decreasing, but I am also concerned that the size of the fish being caught is getting smaller. Take mackerel for example. In the past, large, fatty fish were the norm, but recently, only small "jamisaba" fish are being caught.

(Photo courtesy of Fisherman Japan)

The government has implemented various measures and says that "fishery resources are being properly managed." However, from the perspective of those on the ground, this doesn't make sense. It doesn't seem like resource management is going well, and it seems like there is clearly too much fishing going on.

How to deal with fisheries resource management where there are no absolute answers

However, we also understand that managing fishery resources is a very difficult issue. In particular, in fisheries targeting migratory fish and fisheries licensed by the government, there are many different parties involved and their interests are intricately intertwined. There are limits to what can be achieved by trying to solve the issue in a single region.

In addition, there are many different types of fishing, such as coastal fishing, offshore fishing, and aquaculture, and each type has its own unique position. It is not rare that the best measures for one region or type of fishing are disadvantageous to another region or type of fishing. In other words, there is no single, absolute "right" answer for fisheries resource management.

So what should we do? I think the most important thing is for all "stakeholders of the ocean" to talk together, transcending the boundaries of regions, fishing methods, and industries. Fishermen, government, the nation, fishery companies, distributors, consumers, and everyone else involved in the ocean need to come together and frankly discuss their respective positions and thoughts, and seriously discuss "how can we protect Japan's oceans?" I think it is necessary for each stakeholder in the ocean to understand each other's positions, and to be willing to compromise where they should and to give in where they should. If we insist only on our own interests and pursue "individual optimization," we will not find a constructive solution. It is important to aim for "overall optimization" for the whole of Japan.

Taking Action! Fisheries Future Summit

However, until now, there has been no forum where such stakeholders in the ocean can come together and hold dialogue. That is why the Fisheries Future Summit was established as a forum for volunteers from fishermen and fisheries-related industries across the country to gather, discuss the future of the industry, and aim to put it into practice. It has been held twice so far, and the second summit was held in Kagoshima in March 2 as a two-day, one-night retreat. Over 2025 participants from all over the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, gathered and thoroughly discussed the challenges facing Japan's fisheries industry and their solutions.

(Photo courtesy of Fisherman Japan)

The Fisheries Future Summit does not end with discussion, but places importance on creating concrete projects and taking action from them. Humans often forget about what they are going to do, no matter how good the discussions are on the spot, unless they decide what to do specifically. That is why it is important to turn what you have thought into a project and push forward with it, even if it means being forceful.

After the first meeting in Kesennuma, 1 projects were launched, and concrete projects were underway, including measures against IUU fishing, review of subsidy systems, dissemination and awareness raising of sustainable seafood, promotion of food education, collaboration between fisheries and science, etc. Some projects ultimately led to policy recommendations to the government, and I felt that it was very significant that the first step towards overall optimization with an eye on the future of Japan's oceans, rather than individual optimization, was taken by the field itself.

Actions that future generations can be proud of

That being said, there are many who look at our activities and say, "Resource management is meaningless," or, "It's caused by changes in the marine environment and regime shifts, so there's nothing humans can do about it." It's true that there are some things humans can't do anything about when faced with the enormous power of nature. But I don't like the stance of "so we're not going to do anything." That's a complete lack of thought.

Even if the current resource management is imperfect, I believe we should continue to look for ways to achieve effective resource management. It is easy to criticize the current methods. But nothing will change unless we answer the question, "So what should we do?"

(Photo courtesy of Fisherman Japan)

If in a few decades, we are laughed at and told, "In the end, the decline in resources was due to the deterioration of the marine environment, and your efforts were meaningless," that's fine. But what if that wasn't the case? What if we had worked hard and could have stopped it? I don't want our children in the future to say, "Why didn't our fathers do anything back then?" I definitely don't want to have any regrets, so I'm taking action now.

In order to preserve this bountiful ocean for future generations, we will continue to raise our voices and involve the whole of Japan.

For details of the Fisheries Future Summit,click here

Yuki Tsuda
Fisherman Japan Marketing Co., Ltd. President and CEO
Born in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture in 1981. He was originally the second generation of a wholesaler at Ishinomaki Fish Market.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, he founded the Fisherman Japan Group together with local fishermen.
Currently, the sales department has been spun off as Fisherman Japan Marketing Co., Ltd.
While promoting domestic and international sales expansion, food and beverage businesses, and fishing village consulting,
Together with fishermen and fishing companies across the country, the organization also makes recommendations regarding Japan's fisheries policies.
Fisherman Japan Group

Click here for an interview with Tsuda-san
A pioneer of revitalizing Japan's fisheries industry born from the earthquake disaster. What is his vision for the future?First part) (Second part）

<Past series>
[Series] Thinking about Japan's future fisheries resource management
  Part 1: Reasons for the decline of Japan's fisheries resources and four necessary measures