[Column: The 33rd National Convention for the Development of an Abundantly Productive Sea]

The National Convention for the Development of an Abundantly Productive Sea has been held annually since 1981 in the presence of the Emperor and Empress with the aim of publicizing the importance of activities such as the hatching and releasing project for the recovery of fishery resources widely to the public and achieving promotion and development of Japan's fishing industry through promotion of cultivating fishery.

In 2013, the convention was held in Kumamoto Prefecture under the theme “Let us foster our hometown sea full of life.” In 2014, it will be held in Nara Prefecture under the theme “Rivers and the sea nurtured by rich forest.”

Emperor and Empress releasing larva of sole and scorpionfish (Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Prefecture)

(2) Fishery damage caused by wildlife

In recent years, fishery damage has been caused by Steller sea lions, longheaded eagle rays, sea squirts and large jellyfish. The national government and prefectural governments concerned are implementing comprehensive measures for preventing damage, such as identifying the ecology of such organisms, providing information on the appearance of such organisms, promoting the introduction of improved fishing gear and supporting demonstration tests for methods to chase away Steller sea lions.

Many exotic fish live in lakes and rivers in Japan. The national government has designated such species as largemouth bass and bluegill as invasive alien species, and prohibits their unauthorized rearing, import, assignment and release.

Since the 1980s, the number of great cormorants has increased and the area of their distribution has expanded, causing feeding damage. The Fisheries Agency has implemented a project to promote restoration of sound inland water ecosystems. In addition, the Kanto regional council on great cormorants and the Chubu Kinki regional council on great cormorants have been established and have engaged in regional efforts such as creating regional guidelines.

[Value of fishery damage caused by Steller sea lions (April to March)]

FY2008	FY2009	FY2010	FY2011	FY2012
1,386	1,354	1,608	1,498	1,612

Source: Hokkaido Prefecture survey

## (3) Efforts for effective resource management

For effective resource management, regulatory activities are indispensable. In Japan, Japan Coast Guard officers, police officers and authorized fisheries enforcement officers appointed from among Fisheries Agency officials or prefectural government officials engage in regulatory activities. In addition, fishers in the respective areas carry out activities to prevent poaching, such as monitoring fishing grounds and reporting suspicious fishing, under the initiative of fishery cooperatives.

In 2013, the Fisheries Agency seized 19 foreign fishing vessels, conducted 118 on-board inspections, and confiscated 21 pieces of fishing equipment that were installed illegally (long lines, crab pots, etc.).

## Section 3: Trends in Japan’s fishing industry

(1) Trends in fisheries and aquaculture

A. Domestic fishery and aquaculture production

The total production volume for Japan’s fisheries and aquaculture in 2012 was 4.86 million tons, increasing by 100,000 tons (2%) over the previous year, due to reconstruction of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The production volume for marine fisheries was 3.76 million tons, falling 70,000 tons (2%) from the previous year. By fish species, the production volume of bonito, mackerel, etc. increased and that of squids decreased. The production volume for marine aquaculture was 10.4 million tons, rising 170,000 tons (20%) over the previous year. By fish species, the production volume of coho salmon, yellowtails, scallops, kelp, wakame seaweed, lavers, etc. increased, while that of red sea bream, etc. decreased.

The total production value for Japan’s fisheries and aquaculture in 2012 was at the same level as the previous year at 1.4 trillion yen, dropping by 1.3 billion yen (0.1%) from the previous year. The production value for marine fisheries was 915.6 billion yen, decreasing by 24.3 billion yen (3%) from the previous year. By fish species, the production value of juvenile anchovy (whitebait), bonito, albacore, etc. increased, while that of Japanese common squid, salmons, saury, etc. decreased. The production value for marine aquaculture was 413.2 billion yen, increasing by 25.8 billion yen (7%) over the previous year. By fish species, the production value of lavers, wakame seaweeds, coho salmon, etc. increased.