ISARIBI NO.63

ISSN1346-2512

JapanFisheries
AssociationNO.63, AUG. 2009
Sankaido Bldg.,
9-13 Akasaka 1, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 107-0052
tel: 81-3-3585-6683
http//www.suisankai.or.jp

Views and Opinions of Japan’s Fisheries Industry

Whaling

Until when the world continues to be tolerant
to Sea Shepherd’s violence?
-ITF urges cooperation among nations to stop violenceagainst legitimate research approved by IWC convention-

At the plenary session of the 61st Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, heldin Madeira, Portugal, June 22-25, Akihiro Kitajima, representating the International Transport
Workers' Federation (ITF), urged the international community to take effective steps to stop
continued violent harassment by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of Japan's research activities
in the Antarctic--a legitimate research recognized under the International Convention for the Regulationof Whaling. What follows is a full text of his speech.
Mr. Chairman,
Thank you very much for giving me thisinvaluable opportunity to speak before thisbody. I am Kitajima from the Internationational
Transport Workers Federation (ITF). I am anavigation ofﬁcer on board the research mothership Nisshin Maru and I stand before you torepresent the mariners engaged in research
activities on the Antarctic and the Western North
Paciﬁc.
The ITF is an international organization
representing 4.5 million transport workers of
148 countries and has affiliates in most of theIWC member countries. I am also a member of
All Japan Seamen’s Union, a Japanese affiliateof ITF. ITF organizes not only fishing vessel
mariners but transport workers of all sectors
such as merchant ship crews, port and dockworkers, airline crews and railway workers andit has sector committees. The ITF fisheriescommittee comprises trade unions of a numberof fishing countries including the United
Kingdom, the United States and New Zealandamong others, and supports “a whaling policy
which allows for sustainable use of cetaceans asmarine resources.”
We are engaged in research activities explicitly
provided for under Article 8 of the ICRW. Dayin, day out, many of us mariners are out on duty
to collect scientiﬁc information that is necessary
for the IWC discussions.

The Steve Irwin rams the sighting/sampling vessel Yushin Maru
No.3 port stern side (Photo: Institute of Cetacean Research)

Mr Chairman,
I would like to make the following remarks onbehalf of the workers working on board the vessels.
We have faced with abnormal interference of ourresearch activities by antiwhaling organizations
primarily the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
This interference can by no means be construed
as a peaceful protest. It is a violent act aiming
to destroy a ship and is tantamount to an actof piracy. We are fortunate so far that exposure
to such criminal acts has not resulted in a fatal
incident. Their interference activities have escalated

ISARIBI: First published by the Japan Fisheries Association in October 1992.
JFA President: Isao Nakasu; Editor: Masashi Nishimura

ISARIBI NO.63

AUG. 2009

to the extent that to risk people’s lives.
We are engaged in our work in the harshnatural environment of the Antarctic. How
reckless is it to exercise such acts of violencein the unforgiving environment of the Antarctic.
This puts not only the lives of our skilled crewat risk but also the lives of those unskilled andinexperienced in navigation technology on their
ship at risk. One never calls an act peacefulprotest if somebody’s life is at stake.
ITF hopes to ensure that the workplace ofseamen is safe. I am aware that the Governmentof Japan will give a visual presentation of theaforementioned violent activities later. I would
like you all to take a close look at the footage.
Imagine how the crew themselves and theirfamilies who have sent their father, spouses orsons to the Antarctic see this situation. How
would you feel if your loved ones are in danger ofpiracy attack.
We are cognizant that no country and noorganization supports such an act of violence andthat IWC is unanimous in condemning such acts.
Nevertheless, they sail to the Antarctic again
and again and never cease their acts of violence.
We cannot understand, why their flag state
condones such violence and why port states allow
refuelling of their ship.
We saw their representatives having lunch at
the poolside of this hotel in broad daylight. Why
has the international community become sotolerant of such criminal acts? The antiwhaling
groups which resort to acts of violence ram theirships against our vessels.
An effective countermasure is to make surethey cannot come to the Antarctic. We request
the cooperation of the countries concerned,
particularly of the ﬂag state and the port states
to take effective measures. We request that thecountries concerned take actions as honourable
member of the international community.
Though there are different views and positions
in respect of whaling, we are assuming that thediscussion in the Commission is democratic, andrespectful of different cultures and customs ot
the member countries and is the one based on
science honoring the discussions in the ScientiﬁcCommittee. This is exactly the role expectedof the IWC as recalled at the intersessionalmeetings.
While I am speaking here, my colleagues areengaged in research activities in the Western
North Paciﬁc. Mr. Chairman, could there possibly
be more unwavering proponents of IWC
normalization than us seamen? The seamen,
united under the ITF, strongly request thehonorable members of the IWC to ensure safety
at sea and to support sustainable use of marine
resources.
Thank you very much.

Sea Shepherd's anti-sealing ship
for sale in Nova Scotia
The Canadian government is looking for a buyer
for the anti-sealing ship, the Farley Mowat, theToronto Star reported in February.
"The Norwegian-built vessel, owned by theSea Shepherd Conservation Society, has sat idle
in Sydney, N.S., since it was seized by federalﬁsheries ofﬁcers last April.""An RCMP tactical squad boarded the vessel
following an incident with a coast guard
icebreaker. Two of the Farley Mowat's senior crew
were also arrested and charged from a separate
incident when they allegedly came too close to theannual East Coast seal hunt.""The federal Fisheries Department claims theship broke up the ice around the sealers, putting
their lives in danger.""Alex Cornelissen, of Sweden, and Peter
Hammarstedt, of the Netherlands, face charges ofcoming within a half-nautical mile of a seal hunt
without being properly authorized. Cornelissen isalso charged with obstruction of a federal ﬁsheryofﬁcer," the Canadian newspaper said.

Tuna Issue

OPRT expresses concern
over massive catchof small-size tunas
by purse-seiners

At its general meeting on June 2, 2009, OPRT
adopted the Resolution to Promote Controlof Fishing Capacity for Bigeye Tuna byconsensus among its members. (For full text ofthe resolution, see next page.)
Major tuna longline fishing organizations ofvarious countries in the world, who are membersof OPRT, have been taking steps not to increase
the number of large-scale tuna longline fishingvessels with the aim to prevent overﬁshing of tuna
resources.
As a result, catch of tunas by longline ﬁshingvessels have been restrained in recent years.
On the other hand, catch by purse-seine ﬁshingvessels continue to stay at a high level, creating
concerns over the possible negative impact on thetuna resources (See the attached chart on nextpage). Especially, massive harvest of small-size
bigeye and yellowﬁn tunas, caught incidentally inthe operation by purse-seine ﬁshing vessels, is a
growing concern in the international community
as a factor causing substantial direct impact ontuna resources.
Purse-seine fishing is practiced all over thePage 2

ISARIBI NO.63

AUG. 2009

world, so agreement among all countries
involved is essential to realize effective controlof the capacity of this fishing. Further efforts
by the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) and tuna RFMOs are called
for to obtain such an international agreement.
(visit www.oprt.or.jp about OPRT)OPRT Resolution to Promote
Control of Fishing Capacity
for Bigeye Tuna

2. that other regional tuna ﬁsheries management
organizations (RFMOs) introduce as soon as
possible the measure to control ﬁshing capacity inpurse-seine ﬁsheries and massive catch of smallsize tunas, notably in the eastern Paciﬁc adjoining
the WCPFC Convention area; and3. that the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization and the RFMOs develop asexpeditiously as possible the global measures tocontrol the number of large scale tuna purse-seineﬁshing vessels and their ﬁshing capacity.

The Organization for the Promotion of
Responsible Tuna Fisheries (OPRT), whose
members are involved in production, trade,
distribution and consumption of sashimi tuna in
the world,
Noting that, with the aim to ensure sustainable
use of tuna resources, OPRT has been and iscontinuing its efforts to prevent overfishingcapacity of large scale tuna longline fishingvessels by restricting the number of large
scale tuna longline ﬁshing vessels in the world,with the cooperation of its members and thegovernments to which its members belong;
Recognizing the fact that the catch of tunas
by purse-seine fishing vessels in the worldcontinues to be at a high level of 2.6 million tons
(i.e. 62% of the world’s total catch in 2007), andespecially that the massive catch of small-size
bigeye and yellowfin tunas is causing serious
concerns over sustainable use of tuna resources;

MEL Japan News
2 more ﬁsheries obtain
MEL Japan Fishery and COC
certiﬁcation

On May 21, 2009, the Marine Eco-label (MEL)
Japan Secretariat announced that Yui Fisherman’s Association and Oigawa Town Fisheries Cooperative Association located in Shizuoka
Prefecture, west of Tokyo, obtained MEL Japan
Fishery certification (certification in the production stage) for its ﬁshery targeting stardust shrimp(Sergia lucens) off Suruga Bay. Yui Fisherman’s
Association also obtained Chain of Custody (COC)
certiﬁcation for the ﬁshery.
Further, the Secretariat said that Jusan Fisheries Cooperative Association located in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, also obtained on the same
day Fishery and COC certiﬁcations for its ﬁsherytargeting common freshwater clam (Corbicula japonica) in Lake Jusan in the prefecture.

Noting that, in its International Plan of Action for
the Management of Fishing Capacity, the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization callson States and regional fisheries organizations
confronted with thei s s u e o f o v e r - c a p a c i t y,World Major Tuna Catches by Fishing Gears (1950-2007)
to endeavor to limit at3000
the present level, andBait Boat
Longline
Purse seine
progressively reduce, theTrollOthersﬁshing capacity applied to2500
affected ﬁsheries.
Resolves that it requests:
1000 Ｍetric Ton

1. that regulations onbigeye tuna catch bypurse-seine ﬁshing vessels,
to be implemented by theWestern and Central PaciﬁcFisheries Commission(WCPFC) from 2009 in
the Western and Central
Pacific, be implemented
fully and in good faith by
all the parties concerned;

2000

1500

1000

500

01950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

Tuna Catches include Bluefin tuna, Southern bluefin tuna, Bigeye tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Albacore and Skipjack.
Data compiled by Miyake based on RFMOs bases.

Page 3

1995

2000

2005

ISARIBI NO.63

TopicsWorld’s ﬁsh trade exceeds$100 billion for the ﬁrst timeT

he United Nation’s Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) said that “2008 wasa record year for global fish trade with
imports topping USD 100 billion for the ﬁrst time;
China confirmed its position as the dominant
exporter whereas Japan regained its top position
among ﬁsh importers, helped by a stronger yen.”It further observed that “prospects for 2009
are dominated by overriding concerns over theimpacts of the economic crisis on demand andprices.”“Sales are sluggish in all major markets andprices and margins are under pressure formost seafood products. The only exception isfor species facing tight supply situations due tolower catching quotas or production problems
in aquaculture. In this respect, the implosion of
the Chilean salmon industry in 2009, following avirus attack, is a warning sign for many countries
targeting high growth in the aquaculture sector,”
the FAO said.

TAUG. 2009

Over 1 billion people going
hungry in 2009W

orld hunger is projected to reach a historichigh in 2009 with 1 ,020 million people
going hungry every day, according to new
estimates published by FAO on June 19, 2009.
"The most recent increase in hunger is not theconsequence of poor global harvests but is causedby the world economic crisis that has resulted inlower incomes and increased unemployment. This
has reduced access to food by the poor," the UN
agency said.
"A dangerous mix of the global economic
slowdown combined with stubbornly high foodprices in many countries has pushed some 100
million more people than last year into chronic
hunger and poverty," said FAO Director-General
Jacques Diouf.
"The silent hunger crisis--affecting one sixthof all of humanity--poses a serious risk for world
peace and security. We urgently need to forge abroad consensus on the total and rapid eradicationof hunger in the world and to take the necessaryactions."

Japan’s rural cuisines introduced overseas

he Rural Development Planning Commission
has recently published, jointly with the Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "JAPAN'S
TASTY SECRETS," a booklet to familiarize foreigners
with delicious cuisines handed down in Japan's
farming and fishing communities in the hope toentice more foreign visitors to Japan. The booklet is
introduced by the commission as follows.

You like Japanese food?

Think you've already tried the best that Japan has tooffer? It might be time to think again. Japan is packed
with delicious dishes. All over the country people areconstantly cooking up new ways to satisfy a nation's
hunger for culinary perfection. Hundreds of gourmet
treats come and go, some starting out as a local
favorite and then sweeping the land. Occasionally afood fad will last, or maybe the nation grows to love alocal delicacy over a period of years.
The greatest success stories are rewarded with aplace in the nation's heart. While various dishes are
popular for showcasing local ingredients, many others
succeed for the most basic reason of all: they taste
great! And once a local food becomes establishedat the national level, it's made it. It's passed theultimate test of culinary fitness. In many cases you
don't even need to be a fan of mainstream Japanesecuisine to appreciate its value. It appeals instantly toanyone with an appetite. Other dishes are more ofan adventure, requiring at least some awareness andappreciation of Japanese
ingredients and theirapplications.
And one or two
delicacies may strike
you as extreme cuisine:
enjoyable only by those
whose palate is completely
attuned to the full rangeof tastes and textures
found in Japan, surely
the world's most diverse
culinary culture.
That easy-to-extreme
diversity is evident even in
our initial selection of local
cuisines loved all over Japan--but you probably won't
have to read long before something gets your mouthwatering.
Our second selection focuses on food that has won
a loyal local following in the region where it originated.
Here, too, you will find many dishes that can be--or
already are--cherished across regional or nationalboundaries.
And even if occasionally you catch yourself thinking,"I'm not sure I could eat that," remind yourself thateach dish is a survivor of a merciless process of foodselection. If Japan says it's ﬁt to eat, it could be time
to take your tastebuds to the gym!
Now come on; let's eat! Itadakimasu!

The readers are cordially invited to send their comments on articles in this issue to mnishimu@suisankai.or.jp--Editor