Seeking an answer to the question, "If the fish disappear, we all lose" - Report from the 3rd Fisheries Future Summit
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Ho-Tu Chiang, who became interested in IUU fishing through her work with Taiwan's coast guard, studied in the United States and then transitioned to working for an NGO. She has been exploring ways to expand the sustainable seafood industry, which is often perceived as a Western-originated field, in a way that is suitable for the East.Part1We then discussed their exploration of this issue and the introduction of an electronic monitoring system that could be a breakthrough in human rights issues, particularly in Taiwan. In Part 2, we will hear about sustainable seafood-related activities and goals planned for East Asia this year and in 2026, as well as a grounded approach that respects Asian culture.
--CASS (Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions), a coalition of organizations working on sustainable seafood, will be implementing EAX (East Asia Exchange Program) for the entire year of 2026. You are also a core member of this program. What do you think EAX means for East Asia?
We all have a preconceived notion that the West is more advanced in its discussions about sustainability. In that context, EAX is a great opportunity to draw attention to Asia and raise our own awareness. 70% of the world's seafood is produced in Asia. And for the fisheries industry to be sustainable, the entire supply chain, including local consumers, needs to have the same understanding of sustainability.
Furthermore, this program offers a valuable opportunity for stakeholders from Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan to gather for a series of events. It is a truly exciting opportunity for key members of the region to meet face-to-face and discuss the challenges and opportunities in East Asia.
—What kind of impact do you expect?
Whenever I talk to our corporate partners, they often feel that sustainability is a topic being discussed on the other side of the world. By having focused discussions take place here in Asia, their home ground, they will feel like they are the main actors in sustainability, and they will develop a sense of responsibility to take action rather than being passive.
Of the deep-sea fisheries conducted worldwide, China and Taiwan account for 60%, while Japan, South Korea, and Spain each account for approximately 10%, with these five countries accounting for 90% (see caption on the right). The graph shows fishery catches (tons) excluding aquaculture; the upward-sloping blue line represents East Asia and the Pacific region. Data is from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank (2025), and others (image: Ocean Outcomes).—What are the goals of the EAX program?
In the short term, the goal is simply to increase the energy of active discussion in the East Asian region. TSSS, the highlight of this effort, will serve not only as a platform for exchanging the latest ideas, but also as the culmination of this year's EAX program. Throughout the year-long program leading up to it, it is important for us to explore what each party seeks, to meet, to bring challenges and experiences to the table for active exchange, and to foster more partnerships and collaborations.
Furthermore, I would like to take part in the Sustainable Seafood Summit (TSSS) held in Tokyo with our partner companies, so that they can see for themselves just how active the discussions surrounding sustainable seafood in Asia are. I also hope to bring back a lot of information for our colleagues who cannot attend in person.
When you're doing highly specialized work, it can be difficult to see your own role within the larger picture. Sharing this with each other not only strengthens the overall capabilities, but also sheds light on each other's activities and gives meaning to the value of individual work. In the long term, the goal is for high standards of sustainability to be demanded not only in the EU and US markets, but also in Japan and China, and for an understanding of sustainable seafood to spread throughout East Asia.
They sometimes dive into the sea themselves to untangle fishing nets or to check the underwater conditions (Photo: Ocean Outcomes)—These long-term goals overlap with O2's activity goals in East Asia, don't they?
That's right. Our current activities are centered on working with suppliers, supporting them through information provision, support programs, and training so that they can meet buyer demands. However, buyers and suppliers are fundamentally partners. Therefore, we are trying to facilitate change by, for example, communicating the buyer's requirements to suppliers and supporting communication.
Another example is the Ethical Tuna Collaboration, one of the various initiatives launched by CASS. It's a forum where tuna and skipjack tuna suppliers and buyers discuss desirable supply chain structures and conditions. I introduced this to several Asian companies and encouraged them to participate.
Information sharing and discussions about solutions with business partners have previously taken place between buyers and suppliers in Europe and the US, but I hope this will also begin to occur among Asian companies themselves.
—What would be needed to create such a situation in Asia?
One thing I can say is that we must respect each other's cultures. For example, in the West, we often see a structure where a goal is set at the beginning, everyone starts running at once, and it's like a competition to see who can grab the star first. I think Asian organizations are a little different. They probably want to first confirm their own capacity, make sure everyone can keep up, and then move on to the next step with peace of mind. Neither is right or wrong; it's just a difference in culture.
This is precisely what we must discuss at this year's EAX. We need to discuss what kinds of initiatives will be effective here in Asia.
—That's very interesting. Do you have any other ideas regarding your activities in East Asia?
One thing I would really like to do in the long term is to empower the entire industry. I want to empower those involved in the fisheries industry and companies to think for themselves and discuss what kind of sustainable seafood they want. I want them to be able to identify and understand challenges and risks, and to practically discuss and seek solutions.
Our goal is for East Asian seafood to be recognized as a "well-managed, sustainable product," and for the world to recognize that the Asian fisheries industry has a good understanding of its influence and responsibilities.
--There are many complex and enormous problems in achieving sustainability in the fisheries industry. What do you think is the key to overcoming these difficulties?
These problems are far too complex for one person to solve alone. There's no quick fix. That's precisely why collaboration is so effective. I think this is important for the industry as a whole, because in the long run, collaboration is more rational from a business perspective. It's crucial that everyone participates to create stable change.
--This is my last question. At TSSS2024 two years ago, Seafood Legacy set the goal of "making sustainable seafood mainstream by 2030." What do you think is necessary for mainstreaming?
What I believe is needed is not only working together, but also collective thinking that considers the overall effect.
Being a collective also means acting in a consistent and rational manner as a whole. When multiple players collaborate, overlapping and repetitive tasks can sometimes occur. We NGOs, too, should aim for overall results, much like individual departments working towards the larger goal of "sustainable fisheries," each with different perspectives and expertise.
And regarding "mainstreaming," I believe that mainstreaming means something formal, structural, and organizational. Currently, efforts toward fisheries sustainability still rely on spontaneity and goodwill. Mainstreaming would mean having structural incentives and organizational frameworks that support management and market systems. Only when this is maintained in the long term can it truly be called mainstreaming. It is a rather ambitious goal, but I believe we are making progress towards it.
--Thank you very much. I was impressed by your statement about aiming for overall results. O2 recently formed a partnership with us at Seafood Legacy, didn't they?
Japan is a huge market that purchases 80% of the tuna caught by Taiwan, and in business terms, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are very closely linked. In other words, there should be many common topics and challenges. With multiple buyers in Japan and multiple suppliers in Taiwan and South Korea, it doesn't really make sense for the terms to change depending on who you're dealing with. Having common standards should help everyone work together smoothly.
—You've mentioned several times that this is a challenging and time-consuming goal, but how optimistic are you about the future?
Overall, I feel positive. I haven't been involved in this industry for very long, but even within that limited experience, I can already see signs of change.
Fishing in the ocean is one of the oldest businesses in the world. And even today, it's one of the few industries where humans can directly utilize natural resources with their own hands. Considering this, it's natural that change takes time. It's fine for many people to be involved and for progress to be slow. A slow pace doesn't mean things aren't going well. Slow change is more stable because it's a change that is accepted by people. With that in mind, the fact that many people are starting to work on it is already a bright sign.
Ho-Tu Chiang
After serving in the Taiwan Coast Guard, she joined O2 in 2023. She is responsible for planning, coordination, research, and technical support for fisheries improvement projects in Taiwan. She also collaborates with the Taiwan Fisheries Bureau, the Council of Agriculture, and other stakeholders, supporting the operation of fisheries-related conferences and workshops. She holds a degree in Marine Police from the Central Police University and a Master of Arts in International Criminology and Justice from the John Jay School of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.
Interviewed and written by: Keiko Ihara
He was in charge of design research and concept studies at a general design office until 2002. Since 2008, he has been involved in design research at infield design, and also works as a freelance writer and translator of design-related articles.
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Key terms and concepts to understand seafood sustainability.
