In Part 1, Ms. Satoko Seino said, "The fisheries industry cannot become an ivory tower confined to the world of fisheries alone, but can only solve problems by interacting with society and participating in its dynamism." She has been calling for the creation of a sustainable society through collaboration among various stakeholders in the local community. (Part 1Read more
"Tsushima Glocal University" (https://tsushimaglocal-u.com) and the marine education project "Kyushu University Umi Tsunagi" (https://umitsunagi.jp/abouHowever, we are creating a space where fishermen and local residents, who have never had any contact before, can talk directly and deepen their connections.
We asked Mr. Seino about the reality of the situation he felt by actually living and working in the fishing industry, and what he thinks needs to change and be done to ensure that Japan's fishing industry will continue to survive.
--Please tell us about the activities of Kyushu University Umi Tsunagi, for which you serve as general producer.
"Kyushu University Umi Tsunagi" is a marine education project that started with the theme of marine littering. However, we are now starting to have fishermen from Tsushima and Munakata talk online about their daily fishing and marine resources.
The sessions where fishermen talk about their fishing interests are very popular among Kyushu University's Umitsunagi programs, and many high school students participate. There are few opportunities to experience the fishing industry, so many students seem to be interested in what kind of work fishermen actually do and what they think.
In the past, fishermen had the disadvantage of being unable to physically leave their fishing villages even if they wanted to do something. However, now that they can connect online, they are able to form circles of connections with all kinds of people outside of fishing villages.
Even if fishermen are aware of marine litter and resource management issues, it is difficult for them to speak out due to the relationships within the fishing village. Nevertheless, they are willing to speak out at Kyushu University Umitsunagi because they have a clear desire to do something about it. We want to cherish that feeling.
--The Fisheries Distribution Optimization Act will come into effect in December of this year, and efforts will finally begin in the field. What do you think is necessary to make this law widespread?
I have been working on traceability in Tsushima and Munakata. However, at the time, there were not many people researching this field, and most fishermen did not want to disclose information, so we faced a big obstacle. When starting something new in the world of fisheries, there are often obstacles such as concerns that "important information will be leaked" or "old habits will be destroyed."
Even in discussions about including marine protected areas in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy, there were voices of opposition from fishermen and sometimes from the government, who said, "If we make them marine protected areas, we won't be able to catch fish." However, I think that national parks that are marine protected areas internationally are adding value to their brands, such as the Rishiri kelp on Rishiri Island, which is a national park.
If information literacy is not widespread, negative images and rumors caused by anxiety will spread even if there are important movements for sustainable fisheries. And even if regulations are imposed, people will look for loopholes and things will move in a negative direction. Therefore, I think that we need to correctly understand the contents of the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Act and have a positive attitude.
--What do you think is needed to solve the problems facing the ocean?
All those involved in the fishing industry, including distributors and retailers, need to create an environment in which honest fishermen can make a profit.
The issue of counterfeit clams in Kumamoto Prefecture has been a problem for the past few decades, but has continued without any improvements. However, as more and more people began to think that this was wrong, public opinion began to shift, and the value of genuine wild clams from Kumamoto Prefecture was recognized, it has finally come to light.
We need to realize that if honest people are treated poorly, there will be no fishermen left. Up until now, honest people and those who stand out have been hammered down. As a result, young people are leaving and fishing villages themselves are on the verge of disappearing.
We need to create a system where counterfeit goods are not profitable, and where fishermen who are serious about fishing honestly can make a living. To achieve this, fishermen, fishing associations, distributors, and retailers need to work together, and if that attracts social attention and recognition, the fishing industry can survive. I think we are on the brink of that now.
--What kind of mindset is necessary to bring innovation to Japan's oceans?
It is important to think not only about technological innovation, but also about innovation in the people who will use it. Even if innovative technology is born, it is meaningless if there is no one to accept it and use it proactively.
It's easy to use, physically easy to use, and frees up time by eliminating repetitive tasks. With such technology, not only the fishing industry but also the fishing industry itself must become sustainable. It is also important to have young fishermen who can accept such new technology.
The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit was held in Kumamoto in April this year, where I was one of the organizers of a youth session. Under the theme of Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE), we discussed the need to reform society by "engaging" young people rather than just "allowing them to speak."
The fisheries industry will have to be rebuilt with motivated, earnest people who can remain in the industry even in the current situation. Even after the unmotivated have been weeded out and left the fishing industry, those who still want to work in the fishing industry will create a new Japanese fisheries industry and shape the future of our oceans.
I hope that new technologies will be introduced to support this, creating physical and time freedom so that it will become an industry that everyone can continue working in comfortably.
INTERVIEWER What can companies and individuals do to support these reforms in the fishing industry?
One good example is the initiative in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture. The Itoshima Fisheries Cooperative has previously run a face-to-face sales outlet, but is now collaborating with a local seafood bowl restaurant to implement "local fish tourism." Participants can meet fishermen and researchers face-to-face and hear their stories, and can purchase small lots of fish at the sales outlet that would not be taken in by larger markets. This is a good example of an economy running smoothly, with everyone bringing their ideas together in a multi-stakeholder process to develop products.
I would also like to see support for not only the local fish, but also the entire fishing village, including its customs, traditional events, food culture, and the entire lifestyle of the people who live there. There are people who catch fish, and there are towns where those people live, and there is a culture. A comprehensive attitude of protecting that will keep fishing villages alive. From now on, retailers will also be required to introduce local culture together, for example by handling local crafts in addition to fish.
Fishermen have many possibilities besides fishing: they can do farming, carpentry, crafts, cook, etc. Perhaps there is an initiative that can help them use those skills to generate income.
Individuals are encouraged to visit fishing villages in their neighborhood or hometown, experience the local culture, and talk to the local people. By getting fishermen interested in traditional customs, they will develop intrinsic motivation, and visitors will be able to see the issues that fishing villages face by interacting with them. There are many ways to get involved and help, such as helping out with trash picking and event work, eating local cuisine and surplus fish, and considering living in two locations. Sharing administrative tasks remotely may also be effective. There are many things we can do together, whether as a company or as individuals. One option is to approach the village through municipalities, but first try visiting a fishing village.
Satoko Seino
Born in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture. Discovered the joys of coastal walks at the age of three, and set his sights on becoming a researcher. Graduated from the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo in 1989. Completed a Master's course in Fisheries Science at the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo in 1991. Doctor of Engineering. After working as an assistant and assistant professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, he became an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Society, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University in 2010. His specialties are coastal, coastal and watershed environmental conservation, and ecological engineering.
Interviewed and written by: Shino Kawasaki
After planning and editing corporate advertisements at a design office, she became a freelance writer, copywriter, and food coordinator in 2016. She writes for a variety of media, including women's magazines published by major publishers, food and beverage magazines and websites, and medical information websites.
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Key terms and concepts to understand seafood sustainability.
