ISARIBI MARCH 2002

ISSN1346-NO.30
JapanFisheries
AssociationSankaido 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

HIGHLIGHTS

STRIDE FOR
REESTABLISHING SOUND WHALE MANAGEMENTS--The 54th Int’l Whaling Commission Meeting in Shimonoseki in May --himonoseki, a port city facing Kammon
Strait off the western tip of Japan's mainisland, Honshu, will host the 54th Annual
Meeting of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) May 20-24. The city isendowed with a natural environment, a long
history and a rich culture. Shimonoseki thrived
as a major base for Antarctic whaling
expeditions during the days of commercialwhaling. Since 1998, it has been the home port
for the Antarctic Whale Research Fleet. The
Kaikyo-kan Aquarium, opened in April 2001,exhibits the entire bone framework of a 25-meter
blue whale on loan from Norway.

Misleading Management Disrupts theEcosystem
Whales consume marine living
resources by an amount three to five

IWC's Main Role Is To Ensure Sciencebased Sustainable Use of Whale Resources
In 1982, the IWC passed a commercial
whaling moratorium based upon a majority antiwhaling claim that uncertainties existed over
the resource status of the cetaceans. In thepreamble of the ICRW, it is stated explicitlythat the Convention aims to "provide for theproper conservation of whale stocks and thus
make possible the orderly development of thewhaling industry." The decision on themoratorium and its unreasonable extension are
clearly in contravention with the provisions ofthe Convention in that it gives sole priority tothe protection of whales, thereby excludes theiruse. It also disregards the international
agreement on the sustainable use of natural
resources agreed by the UNCED.
In the background of the present situation
where no resumption of whaling has been
permitted for 20 years following the decisionon the moratorium, one can conclude that theIWC's functions as a resource management
organization have been paralyzed by acommission dominated by anti-whaling
countries that disregard science.

times as large as the human world
fisheries catch of approximately 90
million tons. Recent research has foundthat baleen whales feed not only on krill
but also consume large amounts of fishresources important to humans, suchas herring, Pacific saury, anchovy,squid, and pollock. To give protection
only to whales which stand at the topof marine food chain is tantamount to
disrupting the balance of the marine
ecosystem. The world population now
exceeds 6 billion, and is anticipated toreach 10 billion by 2050. Whenconsidering the food problem amid thispopulation forecast, it becomes clearthat the efficient use of all resources
will become essential.
Mineral resources such as petroleum
and iron ore will decrease by theamount they are consumed. Howeveras living resources, such as whales, arerenewable, they can be used withoutcausing a decrease if used wisely. The
unilateral protection of cetaceans
serves neither for the benefit ofmankind nor the environment.
We Hope the IWC Regains its
Dignity

As whales increase, lessfood is left for humans(Campaign Poster for the ShimonosekiMeeting)We sincerely hope that the IWC in
Shimonoseki will again respect thespirit of the Convention and makerational decisions regarding cetaceans
as a marine living resource on the basisof sound scientific discussion. We also
hope that it will present itself as a
responsible resource management
organization to the international
community and regain its dignity as arespectable international organization.

ISARIBI: First published by the Japan Fisheries Association in October 1992. JFA President: Hiroya Sano; Senior Executive Managing Director:
Kiyoshi Yoshizaki; Editor: Masashi Nishimura

ISARIBI NO.30

MARCH 2002

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON WHALING?
SCIENCE AND WORLD OPINION SHOW FOLLOWING FACTSABOUT WHALES.
Changes in minke whale population in the Antarctic

Notes:
A. Start of Antarctic whaling (1904)
B. End of World War II (1945)
C. Introduction of New Management Procedure (1975)
about 500 mil. tons
D. Commercial Whaling Moratorium (1986)
E. Optimum stock level(estimate by the IWC’s Scientific Committee in 1996; unit: 10,000 heads)

Minke whale population in the world oceans(estimate by the IWC in 1996; unit: head)
NORTH ATLANTICNORTHWESTERN PACIFICANTARCTIC

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MARCH 2002

ISARIBI NO. 30

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE COMING FOOD CRISISIN THE 21ST CENTURY?

MARCH2002—The ocean can be a source to meet increasing food demand—Whales Consume This Much of Marine Resources

Anchovy Found in the Stomach of A Brydes Whale

Fish in A Minke Whale Stomach(Photos: By courtesy of the Institute of Cetacean Research)

Annual consumption of marine species by cetaceans
as compared with the amount harvested by commercial fisheries
marine species consumed bywhales world wide

About 500 mil. tons
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annual fisheries
harvestabout 90 mil. tons

RESULTS OF AN INTERNATIONAL OPINION SURVEY
ON THE WHALING ISSUEQUESTION:
Under the following conditions, do you support oroppose harvesting of minke
whales?
KMinke whales are not an endangered
species. The International Whaling
Commission (IWC) has estimated thatthe number of minke whales throughout
the world reaches 1 million.
KHarvested minke whales can be used
as food for human beings
KCatch of minke whales is part of foodculture of some countries and peoples
KCatch of minke whales is carried out
under restriction of annual quota of theIWC so that catch may not affectadversely the total population.

RESPONSE

Strongly Support TOTAL No opinion Oppose Strongly TOTALSupportOpposeU.S.
20Australia 11514271
53

1068121128

1940

France1152

111512U.K

16456361812192731

Note: The public opinion poll in the United States was conducted in October 1997
on a total of 698 adult Americans selected randomly. Those in France, Australia
and the United Kingdom were conducted in March 1998 on about 500 people ofage 18 or older, respectively.
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ISARIBI NO.30

Pag,MARCH 2002

EVENTSJFA Celebrates 120th Anniversary on Feb.12The Japan Fisheries Association (JFA) on February 12celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
In his address before about 650 guests, mainly from the fishingindustry, Hiroya Sano, President of the JFA, looked back the long
path the association treaded during the past century, and pledged
for fresh strenuous effort for the future in pursuing its objectives ofpromoting the fishing industry and contribute to the economic wellbeing and cultural heritage of Japan.
Sano noted the struggle of those in the fisheries industry amid
present difficult climate, but stressed a bright future for the industry if all in the industry mobilize their wisdom. He expressed profound respect and gratitude for the efffort of precursors and stressed
to face up to the challenges before us and take this occasion as astep for further progress of the industry.”
Estabished in 1992, the JFA served as the umbrella organization
for the entire industry in Japan. It has more than 400 members,
including associations, private companies and individuals who contribute to JFA’s activities.
Congratulatory greetings for the anniversary were received fromvarious parts of the world, including members of the International
Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA).
JFA WINTER EVENING RECEPTIONOn February 6, the Japan Fisheries Association hosted theWinter Eveninig Reception in Tokyo, inviting fisheries attaches from about 50 embassies in Tokyo. This annual event has
been aimed to foster and promote amicable relations between theJapanese fishing community.
In his welcome speech, Hiroya Sano, President of the JFA,
stressed this is the special year for the association as it marks the120th anniversary of its founding. This was followed by a lecture
by Mr. Joji Morishita, Deputy Director of the Far Seas Fisheries
Division of the Fisheries Agency, who outlined concisely the development of whaling controversy and elaborated on major points atissue. The speech appeared to have attracted special attention ofparticipants as the coming annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission is slated to be held in Shimonoseki, Japan.
The lecture was followed by a Sushi Party at which representatives both from the Japanese fishing community and diplomatic
corps exchanged views on various issues of fisheries.

JFA to Hold 4th Seafood Expo in JulyT

he Japan Fisheries Association will hold the fourth international Seafood & Technology Expo at the International Exhibition Center in Tokyo on July 24-26. The JFA expects that thisevent, marking its 120th anniversay,will have a greater number ofexhibitors and attract more visitors than the previous shows. For
further information seet:URL:http://www.k-ide.com/seafood.)

Himi to Host Int’l Fixed Net Fishing
Conference in NovemberH

imi City in Toyama Prefecture, northcentral Japan, will
host an international conference on fixed net fishing inNovember 2002. According to the organizer, the aim of theconference, dubbed as “International Fixed Net Fishing Summit in Himi,” is to provide opportunities to government officials from countries having advanced fixed net fishign techniques to present case studies of differing methods, exchange
views and ideas, and discuss the way to construct cooperative
system among them. Another aim is to appeal to the international community for worldwide cooperation for the proper use
of marine resources and protection of the marine environment.
The conference will be marked by the keynote speech by arepresentative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the theme of “The worldwide food crisis and the role of the fishing industry.”
During the 4-day session, case study presentations will bemade on the introduction of the fixed net fishing method inCosta Rica as well as the present state of fixed net fishing industry in Himi.
Also, panel discussions and workshop sessions will be heldon such subjects as fixed net fishing in the 21st century, protection of marine environment and resources and ways to copewith food shortages.”
The conference will also include a tour to a fixed net fishingsite in Himi. (For detailed information contact: http://www.city.himi.toyama.jp)

Korea and the Philippines join OPRT
marking Progress in Conservation andManagement of Tunas—80 % of the world’s tuna longliners
are now under OPRT—The Organization for Promotion of Responsible
Tuna Fisheries (OPRT) formally approved as its
members the Korea Deep Sea Fisheries Association (Tuna Longline Fisheries Committe) andOPRT Philipine Inc. newly established by ownersof tuna longline fishing vessels in the Philippines.
The approval came at OPRT’s board of diectors
meeting on February 19, 2002. A total of 183 vessels from Korea and 6 from the Philippines wereregistered under the OPRT, bringing the total registered vessels to 1,246 including 495 from Japanand 562 from Taiwan. As a result, about 80 % oflarge-scale tuna longline fishing vessels in the world
are now under registration of the OPRT.(See“What’s New” by clicking “Menu” at OPRT
website:URL: www.oprt.or.jp)

Readers are invited to send comments on any of the articles in this news letter.--Editor JDB00775@nifty.ne.jp