[Changes in the seawater temperature ( $ ^{\circ} $ C) of waters surrounding Japan]

[Resource management system centering on resource management policies and resource management plans]

## (7) International cooperation in resource management

With regard to fisheries in the high seas, the flag state of each fishing vessel manages the fishery of that fishing vessel based on the decision of the regional fisheries management organization jointly established by the countries concerned for the conservation and management of fishery resources in the relevant sea area.

Species that migrate between exclusive economic zones and the high seas, such as tunas, and species that are distributed extensively in the exclusive economic zones of several countries and the high seas, such as demersal fish, are also globally managed through discussions between regional fisheries management organizations and countries concerned.

## Section 2: Trends in Japan’s fishing ground environment

## (1) Conservation of fishing ground environment

The rise in seawater temperature has caused abnormal changes in the fishery of yellowtail, bluefin tuna, saury, oyster, etc. Such changes include changes in the fishing grounds and fishing season and a delay in growth, and have affected the fishing conditions in various locations. The unexpected timing of fish landing has also affected sales of fishery products in many ways.

The types of fishery that are actively conducted in a certain area is a result of having traditionally used the fish caught in that area. In addition, fishers have acquired knowledge of the characteristics of fishing grounds from their experiences to date. Thus, even if resources of different species increase as a result of global warming, it is difficult for fishers to operate fisheries in the same manner as before. Moreover, fishery processors that specialize in the processing of catches that are frequently landed in the area face difficulty dealing with unfamiliar catches. Therefore, a change in the fish species caused by environmental changes has a considerable effect on the fishery business management in local areas.

It is important to search for fishing grounds not only based on conventional knowledge, but also by using the latest information, such as making use of information on fishing and oceanographic conditions, including seawater temperature, provided by various organizations. In aquaculture, it is vital to keep the cultured organisms in good health and highly resistant by avoiding stressful rearing conditions, and to develop a subpopulation that is resistant to high water temperature through breeding.

O Seagrass beds and tidal flats that play a significant role in the proliferation of fishery resources have decreased due to sea desertification and development of coastal areas.

O Since inland waters face a high likelihood of environment deterioration, recipients of the fishery right for fishing in inland waters are obligated to take measures for proliferation of aquatic organisms.

O The Fisheries Research Agency and prefectural governments take the initiative to release seeds for developing resources.

Source: Compiled by the Fisheries Agency based on data from the Fisheries Research Agency

[Examples of abnormal changes in fisheries likely to have been caused by a rise in seawater temperature (2013)]

Yellowtail	- The catch volume of yellowtail has been increasing in the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido in recent years, and yellowtail has also been landed at Abashiri.
Bluefin tuna	- Bluefin tuna has been caught in set nets for salmon and trout installed near the shore on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido where bluefin tuna is rarely observed.
Saury	- Since there was a delay in saury coming down south to Japan's coast, the fishing season became shorter.
Oysters	- Since the spawning period became longer and oysters consumed more energy than before, they did not grow large.

Source: Compiled by the Fisheries Agency based on data from the Fisheries Research Agency