Japan Press Weekly

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2008 August 20 - 26 [AGRICULTURE]

JCP Iwate Pref. holds symposium to discuss ways to solve crisis of fisheries

The Iwate Prefecture of the Japanese Communist Party on August 23 held a symposium in Ofunato City to discuss ways to end the present crisis of fisheries which is exacerbating due to the rising oil prices.

About 200 participants included officials of local fisheries and local cooperatives in the Sanriku Coast, which is known as one of the world’s three major fishing grounds.

The gathering received more than 30 messages of solidarity from mayors of Ofunato City and other municipalities as well as the head of the Iwate Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives.

Ito Hisanao from Yoshihama Fisheries Cooperative, who spoke as a panelist, said, “The issue of what to do with the sea off Sanriku is a matter that overrides political differences.” Pointing out that 80 to 90 percent of young people who began careers in fisheries have given up, he stressed the importance of focusing on the question of obtaining and training successors.

Yoshinaga Hironubu from the Taro Town Fisheries Cooperative said, “The need now is to raise the country’s food self-sufficiency rate and take measures to ensure stable incomes for fishermen. This is the way to activate fisheries.”
- Akahata, August 24, 2008