The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-12-14
ADJUST MENT
OF RIGHTS TO
FISH IS Seen
I3-Cornered Farley Looms
as Japanese Industry
|. Extended
~ b. HENRY WOOD
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press starr Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. ID. -
| (UP).-A thrce-cornercd fishery
dispute in which Japan is doing
most Of the fishing is faced by the
United States, Canada and Japan
according to survey just com
pletcd by the Institute of Pacific
Relations.
During the past year, the survey
stated, Japan has been conducting
experimental fishing off Alaska,
and appropriations made by the
Tokyo government provide that
these experiments shall continue
for a period of three years.
How serious the situation for
American and Canadian fisheries
might become if Japan extended
fishing into the high seas off these
two countries is indicated by the
fact that already Japan is reSpon-
Siblc for half Of the world catch
Of fish. Last year, fish products
constituted the fifth most impor-
tant Japanese export. Two years
ago, the survey found, FISHING and
manufacture Of fish products gave
employment to 100000 Japa-
ncsc.
EXTENSION is INDICATED
The extension Of fishing waters,
the survey found. seems to indi-
cate Il determination by Japan to
continue the expansion of that
industry.
The problem faced by the Uni
ted States and Canada lies in the
fact that the territorial waters Of
these two countries soon may be
depleted of both salmon and hall
but, the two most valuable fish for
commercial purposes.
This unlimited. uncontrolled
fishing off the Pacific coast also
might nullify efforts under way
by the American and the Canadian
governments to limit the catch Of
salmon and halibut in such a man
ncr as to insure their proper con-
Scrvation.
Unfortunately, the survey point
cd out, what makes the situation
so difficult from an international
point of view is the fact that ia
pan has legal right to fish on
the high seas outside Of the three
mile territorial limit Of any coun-
try. - 49,
On an effort to establish some
basis for international action that
fisheries may be conserved. Can
ada and the United States are TAX
ing the viewpoint that "the birth
CT fish in territorial waters die
tates it's ownership by the country
to which those waters belong To
date, however, Japan has indicat-
cd no intention to subscribe tol
that principle.
NEW TRAWLERS BUILT
According to the survey, Japan
has developed a fleet of Diesel
equipped trawlers able to work
5000 miles from their base. In
addition, there are mother ships
which not only carry these fishing
boats abroad, but they are also
equipped for transforming the fish
caught by the boats into canned
products.
AS q result Japan is able to
carry the fishing industry not only
into Alaskan and Canadian waters
but to other points on the high |
seas that are within the cruising
distance Of mother ships and the
Dicsel-eQuippcd trawlcrs.
The survey said that Japan to
date had not seriously depleted
either the salmon or the halibui
off Canadian and American wa
tcrs. However. fishing industries
on the Pacific coast insist that I'M
les saction is taken to prevent ia.
pan from extending fishing activ
ity all conservation measures
taken by tho two American gov
will be nullified.
WAY OUT TO BE DIFFICULT
II is conceded, the survey said,
that if Japan is asked to abandon
this right Of unlimited fishing on
the high seas SOME equivalent will
have to he offered. Two courses,
it was suggested, arc open to the
and Canadian fishing
interests. One would be to have
their respective governments en-
ter into some agreement or treaty
with Japan il possible. The other
SlavS Best Friend