☐ Fishing villages are full of diverse resources, such as fresh fishery products, rich nature, and beautiful scenery. In various places nationwide, activities are being carried out within the collaborative framework among agriculture/forestry/fisheries, commerce, and the manufacturing industry, as well as women's groups. Efforts are being made toward invigorating local economies, with a focus on the industry of creating and maximizing the value of local resources retained in the sea and fishing villages (generally called marine industry).

Product development with the use of nonstandard fish

[Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture]

The fish market in Sasebo, in cooperation with the fisheries cooperative, began processing minced fish, using nonstandard horse mackerel. A freezer manufacturer cooperated with the fish market to introduce an automated processing system covering the steps from filleting to vacuum packaging.

Providing consumers with specialties from the island with the refreshing sea air [Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi]

## Prefecture]

The women’s division of the fisheries cooperative produces and sells locally caught fish and wakame seaweed at Shiokaze-no-Sato Tsunoshima, a facility consisting of a processing factory, shops, and a restaurant.

## Aquaculture activities as the bridge between the intellectually disabled and the local community [Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture]

Akatsuki Gakuen, a welfare facility for people with intellectual disabilities, provides the opportunity to breed fish such as red sea bream and yellow jack. Participants carry out all that they can in this work, from conveying and mixing feed to feeding and shipping fish. This program has promoted their exchange with the local community.

Invigorating the local community through collaboration between the fisheries industry and the tourism industry

[Himaka Island, Aichi Prefecture]

Based on a proposal by the tourist association, Himaka Island has been advertised as an “island of octopus and fugu (blowfish),” thereby successfully raising the price of fish as well as increasing the number of visitors. Fishery operators engage in intermediate breeding of fugu and provide fishing-experience events. Fisheries and tourism have continued to have a good collaborative relationship.

## Revitalizing the seashore region through the Octopus Box Owner Program [Hokkaido]

As a publicity event to increase popularity of locally caught octopus (octopus dofleini), the Octopus Box Owner Program was launched in FY2007. Gatherings have been held to provide the owners the chance to actually see their own octopus boxes.

## Changing the handicaps of a remote island into a business opportunity [Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture]

Koshikijima Fisheries Cooperative introduced a special quick-freezing system to improve the quality of kibinago (banded blue sprat) to prevent them from quickly losing their freshness, thereby making possible their stable shipment. Cooking lessons using kibinago are also held.

## (Productive Fisheries Developed through Collaboration with Local Communities)

[Awarded the Emperor’s Cup] Tanaume Honten (Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture)

This company manufactures chewy and elastic kamaboko (steamed fish paste), using domestic white fish, eso and guchi, and applying its original manufacturing method. It carries out various activities to contribute to the local community, such as donating fish cakes to children's homes, accepting elementary school students to visit its factory, providing junior high school students with work experience, and implementing training programs for participants in employment support seminars arranged by Hello Work (Employment Service Agency).

## [Awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize] Kitaura Pacific Mackerel Aquaculture Cooperative Business Unit (Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture)

People engaging in aquaculture of fish, mainly great amberjack, have established a cooperative business unit and launched a project to breed Pacific mackerel. They have successfully earned stable profits.

[Awarded the President’s Prize of the Japan Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Association]

Kanedai (Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture)

The company manufactures fish pickled in sugared vinegar by quickly freezing fresh saury and adding the yuzu (Chinese lemon) flavoring. It also contributes to the local community by planting trees.