Japan Press Weekly

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2019 June 12 - 18 [ECONOMY]

JCP urges Fisheries Agency to take measures to assist small-scale fishermen

Japanese Communist Party lawmakers Kami Tomoko and Tamura Takaaki on June 17 met with the Fisheries Agency head to submit a written request demanding measures to improve the business conditions of small-sized coastal fishermen.

The JCP request includes demands for government actions to increase small-scale fishermen’s share of the quota for bluefin tuna catches and to tighten regulations on large-scale fishing operators which are putting too much strain on the available resources of bluefin tuna, squid, and bonito.

Kami said that small-sized coastal fishermen are struggling to remain afloat and that the government should work to make the fishing quota distribution fair to all. Tamura pointed out that large-scale operators employ net fishing indiscriminately when catching bluefin tuna, including pre-spawning ones, which causes a decline in fish stocks. He then referred to the fact that the government considers restricting catches of four species, including mackerel, as their stock is diminishing. Tamura stressed that regarding this measure, the government should make efforts to secure the consent and agreement of fishermen before imposing the restrictions.

Fisheries Agency chief Hase Shigeto in response said that the agency will hold a meeting of fishermen, marine product processors, consumers, and other parties concerned in order to thoroughly discuss how to set the rules and regulations on the four species.

Past related articles:
> Opposition force requests postponement of caps on bluefin catch [June 27, 2018]
> Coastal fishermen protest against unfair bluefin tuna caps [June 26, 2018]