TSSS2025 DAY1: Working together to combat IUU fishing, human rights violations, and the climate crisis to protect the oceans and people

The Sustainable Seafood Summit, which will be held for the 11th time in 2025, left Tokyo for the first time, and the Sustainable Seafood Summit in Osaka (TSSS2025) was held on October 1st and 2nd. During the week of the summit, a collaborative event, "Choosing and Protecting the Future of Fish Week," was also held at the Blue Ocean Dome pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site.

At the opening of TSSS2025, a special dialogue was held on behalf of the organizers between Naoki Asami, Senior Managing Director of Nikkei BP, and Kazuo Hanaoka, CEO of Seafood Legacy. During the dialogue, Asami raised the issue of the low awareness of the term "IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing" in Japan. While pointing out that the number of searches for the term on the web (Google) reaches several thousand to 10,000 per month in English and has rapidly increased over the past two to three years, the number of searches for the term in Japanese is only around 100 to 300 per month. While acknowledging this reality, Hanaoka spoke about various initiatives aimed at achieving the 2030 goal of "making sustainable seafood mainstream," as well as his vision for the society that lies beyond.

TSSS2025 was held at Grand Cube Osaka. Participants from Japan and abroad gathered for a successful start.

The first day began with a keynote speech, followed by discussions among public and private sector fisheries industry representatives from Japan and abroad on a wide range of topics, including each country's countermeasures against IUU fishing, human rights violations and corporate responsibility, resource management in the era of the climate crisis, and the future of small-scale fisheries.

The current state of the marine environment as seen by domestic and international governments, Japanese companies, and the media

In the keynote speeches, representatives of the Japanese Fisheries Agency, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Saraya Co., Ltd. spoke about their recent efforts to address ocean issues. There was also a talk session on the recommendations of the NIKKEI Blue Ocean Forum.

Expanding the Fisheries Resilience Plan to the Entire Fisheries Industry

Fisheries Agency Commissioner Hitoshi Fujita

The Fisheries Agency has formulated a "Fisheries Resilience Plan" to ensure that the fishing industry continues to play a social and economic role into the future. This plan includes initiatives for the domestic fishing industry, such as promoting resource surveys and assessments to capture rapid changes in the marine environment, reviewing fishing regulations, and promoting new operations, as well as import control measures to prevent IUU fishing.

Fisheries Agency Commissioner Hitoshi Fujita said, "We will steadily implement this plan, while also formulating resilience plans for aquaculture, seafood processing, and the entire fishing industry, with the aim of realizing a strong fishing industry and bountiful beaches."

In the keynote speech, Commissioner Hitoshi Fujita of the Fisheries Agency introduced Japan's efforts to expand the Fisheries Resilience Plan and combat IUU fishing.

Progress towards eliminating IUU fishing in the Indo-Pacific

Dr. Niall O'Dea, Senior Assistant Minister for Strategic Policy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Canada is committed to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. We support the development of rules to regulate fishing activities and combat IUU fishing in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). This year, we again conducted air and high seas patrols as part of Operation North Pacific Guard, a multinational mission to combat IUU fishing. We also launched Dark Vessel Detection, which allows partner nations to monitor and detect illegal activity in their waters.

Dr. Niall O'Dea of ​​Fisheries and Oceans CanadaHe emphasized that "the existence of the IUU Fishing Action Alliance is important to strengthen international cooperation in combating IUU fishing and protect the fishing industry."

Pioneering the future of industry through global collaboration

Yusuke Saraya, CEO of Saraya and Honorary Director of the Blue Ocean Dome Pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo

A research and development collaboration agreement was signed for the "Tsushima Model (Circular Economy Model)" to solve the problem of waste washing ashore in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.Saraya Co., Ltd. established Blue Ocean Tsushima Co., Ltd. in 2024 and is working on initiatives such as recycling washed-up garbage.

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the company exhibited a pavilion called the "Blue Ocean Dome." It promoted a wide range of marine issues through various forums and exhibits, including "Choosing and Protecting the Future of Fish Week," which introduced TSSS. Saraya President and CEO Yusuke Saraya explained, "Furthermore, in preparation for 2030, we are taking steps such as using recycled plastic in our products, as well as working towards sustainable fishing in Mauritania."

NIKKEI Blue Ocean Forum proposes a Japan-led blue economy model

NIKKEI, founded in 2023The Blue Ocean Forum will be held in June 2025.The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)Osaka/Kansai ExpoでRecommendationsWas announced.

Professor Fujita Kaori of Tohoku University, who acted as facilitator, introduced the progress made to date and the characteristics of the proposals. Sasakawa Peace Foundation Chairman Sunami Atsushi commented, "It was groundbreaking to have such a comprehensive approach to marine issues and make such recommendations on the platform of the Nikkei, a global media outlet." Hanaoka, CEO of Seafood Legacy and leader of the forum's Fisheries Resources Subcommittee, said, "This event has given us a renewed awareness of how Japan, as a major market country, can contribute to the global fisheries system."

How to increase the effectiveness of IUU fishing countermeasures in Japan, Korea, Europe, the US, and around the world

IUU fishing has a negative impact on resource management by causing overfishing and environmental destruction, and is also a breeding ground for the violation of workers' human rights. Moderator Shuhei Uematsu of WWF Japan said, "The scale of IUU fishing is estimated at 1 to 100 million tons per year.2.5"The total value of IUU fishing products in Japan has reached trillions of yen, and research results suggest that approximately 3% of Japan's seafood imports are from IUU fishing," he warned, and each panelist reported on the import control systems in the EU, the United States, Japan, and South Korea that are in place to prevent the inflow of seafood from IUU fishing products.

Initiatives in each country

Tom Walsh of the EU IUU Coalition explained the EU Catch Documentation Scheme, which the EU established in 2008 with the adoption of the EU IUU Regulation, a world first. Following revisions to the EU Fisheries Management Regulation, the data required for EU Catch Documentation will be expanded from January 2026, and a digital system called "CATCH" will be launched to manage all producers involved in the EU Catch Documentation Scheme. Based on a new report published in 2025, Walsh compared the import control systems of Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States, and warned that the lack of harmonization between the systems "increases the risk of seafood caught through IUU fishing entering the global market." 

Max Valentine of Oceana explained the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), which was introduced in 2016 after a difficult journey to combat IUU fishing in the United States. Industry groups opposed to SIMP subsequently filed lawsuits seeking its abolition, and proposals for a comprehensive review, including abolition, were made. Having overcome these crises, an action plan was announced in 2024 to improve SIMP, including expanding it to all fish species. While Valentine expressed concern about the operational status of US government agencies under the current administration, he said, "I hope that this action plan will move forward." 

Max Valentine of Oceana introduces the US IUU fishing countermeasure "SIMP"

Ms. Chikako Furukawa of the Fisheries Agency introduced the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Act, which will come into effect in 2022. Under the Act, which currently covers four fish species and collects 12 of the 17 key data elements (KDE), Ms. Furukawa is currently examining how to operate the import control system efficiently and effectively. She stated, "It is necessary to strike a balance between maintaining smooth product distribution and operating the system."

Lee Ju-young of the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported on the revised Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) that will take effect in October 2024. "With this new system, South Korea has become the first market country to meet the EU IUU Coalition's recommendation to collect 17 KDEs," said Lee. He also introduced the development of a smart fisheries monitoring system that utilizes AI and big data, which is currently underway in South Korea. 

The need for harmony

During the panel discussion, participants pointed out the need for all stakeholders to be at the table for dialogue (Mr. Valentine) and for consumer understanding (Mr. Furukawa), and emphasized the importance of harmonization among national systems. Mr. Walsh pointed out that "a patchwork of systems leaves loopholes that illegal operators can exploit," and Mr. Lee said, "We need an integrated and interoperable system."

Moderator Uematsu summarized the session by saying, "We cannot move forward unless we not only harmonize regulations, but also the thoughts and ideas of all stakeholders."

Human rights violations in the fishing industry and the measures companies are required to take

In a session that was shockingly presented by the fact that Indonesian workers on Taiwan's long-distance tuna fishing vessels spend eight to ten months on board without access to Wi-Fi or the ability to call for help, losing one worker per week, moderator Ryutaro Ogawa, a lawyer with Human Rights Now, emphasized the importance of corporate human rights due diligence. Panelists reported on the current state of human rights violations in Taiwan's tuna supply chain, the role of labor unions, and the measures that companies are expected to take.

The reality of human rights violations against fishermen

Ahmed Mudzakir, former chairman of the Forum of Indonesian Seafarers (FOSPI), testified about the human rights violations faced by workers on Taiwanese deep-sea tuna fishing vessels, sharing the tragic story of fisherman Sikri. He endured long hours of work hauling and lowering nets, was denied proper rest, and was refused permission by the captain to return to shore when he fell ill. He was only given expired medicine. Sikri died on board at the young age of 28, seven months after joining the vessel.

"If the ship had Wi-Fi, other crew members or the man himself could have reported this medical issue to us or to other agencies or organizations in Taiwan," Mudzakir said. 

Taiwan currently employs 19,700 foreign workers in the fishing industry, the majority of whom are Indonesian. They face the risk of having their contracts terminated or their jobs terminated at the discretion of their employer, and issues of unpaid wages and abuse are often ignored. They lack access to Wi-Fi and are unable to contact their families. Between 2022 and 2024, 63 deaths occurred, 33 of them missing at sea. Muzadkil emphasized the importance of not just installing Wi-Fi, but also ensuring that it is actually accessible, and reiterated, "We must not leave seafarers isolated at sea."

Ahmed Mudzakir of FOSPI spoke out about the human rights violations on deep-sea fishing vessels

Install Wi-Fi now to protect fishing workers' rights

Zakari Edwards of Global Labour Justice pointed out that a company's human rights due diligence should not be about "assessing the impact of human rights violations on its business," but rather "assessing the impact of its business activities on human rights." The most effective way to do this is to conclude legally binding agreements with labor unions, and as a concrete measure, he introduced the campaign "Demand Wi-Fi Now for the Rights of Fishing Boat Workers."

It's estimated that less than 2% of workers on Taiwanese fishing boats have access to Wi-Fi. Voluntary installation is not enough; mandatory legislation by the Fisheries Administration of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, or legally binding agreements with companies is necessary. Edwards pointed out, "Japanese companies explain that they have grievance mechanisms on their websites, but that's meaningless if there's no access to Wi-Fi on board," and argued, "As Taiwan's largest importer of tuna, Japan has great influence to realize demands for Wi-Fi installation." 

Corporate initiatives and challenges

Satoshi Matsumoto of the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union reported that they have formulated a human rights policy for 2023 and are conducting a CSR survey of 1,200 business partners. However, he said, "Because the tuna supply chain involves a wide range of countries, ensuring traceability is difficult, so it is important for national policies and the industry as a whole to speak out." 

William Gutierrez of Dignity in Work for All (DIWA) pointed out a wide range of human rights issues in the fishing industry, including forced labor, debt bondage, and excessive working hours. He concluded that "while corporate management systems exist for products and quality, human rights management systems are rudimentary and a more proactive worker-centered approach is needed."

In the era of climate crisis: How should fisheries resources be managed in international waters?

The climate crisis is expected to cause changes in species distribution, which will inevitably have a greater impact than ever before on marine ecosystems, the fishing industry, and local communities. In light of this, we discussed how fisheries resources in international waters should be managed.

Addressing resource disparities in the Indo-Pacific region

Professor Transform Aqorau of the Solomon Islands National University said, "The climate crisisAs jurisdiction over transboundary fishing (fishing that crosses national borders) becomes more complex,"Many countries in the Indo-Pacific region lack the capacity to collect and monitor data, and resource disparities between countries are expected to widen," he said. 

The region has the Nauru Agreement on Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries Management, and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Organization is monitoring resources. Professor Ito said, "These efforts should be applied globally, with the aim of restoring resources through legal systems that adapt to change, cross-national and cross-sectoral cooperation, and securing sustainable funding."

Professor Transform Aqorau of Solomon Islands National University explains the challenges of managing resources in international waters due to climate change

Maldives' traditional fisheries in crisis

In the Republic of Maldives, fishing plays a central role in the national economy, driving exports and generating foreign currency. It also provides many jobs, with one in five employed people working in the fishery industry, who fish for tuna using the traditional pole-and-line fishing method in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Regarding the expanding impacts of climate change, Hussein Sinan of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Maldives said that the impacts of climate change will become more pronounced from 2024.He emphasized that rising surface water temperatures are affecting the availability of live bait and changing tuna migration patterns. "To avoid this, we need to share data to predict tuna movements, continuously evolve climate change countermeasures, and also transform traditional fishing methods," he said.

Urgent measures and cooperation required from Japan

The rate of sea surface temperature rise around Japan is higher than the global average, leading to a significant decline in coastal catches of saury, Japanese flying squid, salmon, and other species. The reproductive capacity of chub mackerel and sardines is also declining, raising concerns that the deterioration of resources will continue unabated. 

Masanori Miyahara, an advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said,"The biggest problem is that we still don't have answers to these questions," he said. He called for urgent data collection to understand "what is happening now," given that the borders around Japan are unclear, and for the country to share the issue with neighboring high seas fishing nations and cooperate.

Effective cooperation between sovereign nations and companies

The moderator was Quentin Hanich of the University of Wollongong, a professor of international fisheries.ManagementAs an expert on the issue, he concluded by saying, "Amid predicted changes in species distribution due to climate change, it is important to manage transboundary fisheries in a way that adapts to them. Effective cooperation between sovereign states and companies is essential to ensure the sustainability of finite marine resources."

 Envisioning the future of small-scale fisheries: the power of digital transformation and sustainable finance

While the importance of small-scale fisheries in East and Southeast Asia is increasing in terms of food security and maintaining local economies, their vulnerability is also a challenge. How can we increase the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and enhance their distinctive diversity? We must consider ways to revitalize small-scale fisheries and local communities, including by utilizing digital transformation (DX) and sustainable finance. 

This session, which concluded the first day, invited five panelists to present the current state of Japan's small-scale fisheries and how to address the challenges to pass them on to the next generation. They also discussed the current state of Japan's small-scale fisheries and how to address the challenges to pass them on to the next generation.

(For more information, please see this article）

All session speakers took a commemorative photo in front of a fish panel promoting the realization of sustainable fishing.

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