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Hatahata Fishing Ban Part 2
Grilled hatahata 99.11.5/Temperature: 8C/ Weather: Scattered showers / Wind Direction: W
Current Location: Akita Prefectural Institute for Fisheries and Fisheries Management Oga City/ Latitude: 39 51 31 N / Longitude: 139 48 41 E
Distance Traveled: 0 km (Rest day)I have spent the last two days seeking out the secrets of Akita Prefecture's three-year ban on hatahata (sandfish) fishing. The recovery of the diminished hatahata catch turns out to be the result of "many small flames."
Yesterday morning I was briefed on the overall strategy of Akita Prefecture's marine resource management. Mr. Sugiyama explained three characteristics of marine resources. First, marine resources have the capability of self reproduction . Unlike agriculture, forestry or breeding, marine resources rely largely on the self-reproduction of sea life. The conditions of self-reproduction are difficult to understand or recreate. Secondly, unlike forests or farming fields, there is no owner of marine resources. Since there is no owner, marine resources are easily overused. Lastly, the fluctuation of marine resources is very erratic. The ocean remains a mystery to humans and factors creating this fluctuation are difficult to track.
Considering the unique nature of marine resources and the drastic decrease of hatahata in the 1980's, the local Akita Prefecture Fishing Coop in cooperation with prefectural administrators, researchers, and local fishermen came up with a strategy that would put hatahata fishermen back out on the waters. Mr. Sugiyama of the Prefectural Institute for Fisheries and Fisheries Management explained the strategy's logic. "There is only so much that humans can do in resource management. For example, humans can't very easily decrease the ocean temperature by even one degree; this would take an unimaginable amount of energy. Radical changes in weather, el nino, la nina, etc. are things that we can't effect. What we can do is prevent over-catching of hatahata, improve spawning grounds, artificially breed and release hatahata, and decrease pollution of the ocean."
In order to take such steps, several scientific judgments need to be made based on an understanding of the natural world. "First one must know where hatahata live. You need to know what they eat, how they migrate, how age relates to growth and reproduction rates. Furthermore, you need to know what equipment fishermen use to catch hatahata, the number of fishermen, fishermen's income, cultural traditions, as well as conflicting interests between fishermen. Once you have assessed all of this, you can create a plan to carry out resource management. When we did this, it became clear that banning hatahata fishing for three years would be effective."
Mr. Sugishita stands in front of breeding tank at the Akita Prefectural Institute for Fisheries and Fisheries Management. All relative parties worked hard to create a solution. According to a fisherman as well as buyer I spoke with, there was much doubt that halting fishing for three years would have any effect. However, a combination of small flames within the fishing coop, local administration, researchers, and most importantly within local fishermen themselves created a flame that would last throughout the three-year ban.
Contributing to this flame is the fact that the ban was concluded after making unanimous decision which all parties agreed upon. This characteristic continues today in decisions made about conserving future hatahata resources. Within the prefecture, all parties concerned created a total allowable catch (TAC) based on total agreement. This is an unprecedented act in Japan as well as worldwide. (Most TAC's are imposed by law).
As a result of the ban, when fishermen set out to see in October of 1995 they were happily surprised to find that the yearly catch had more than doubled. The annual catch since 1995 has continued to rise. This is generally believed to be a result of continued self-imposed restrictions and artificial breeding. There are also a few fishermen who attribute the comeback to mother nature.
Mr. Sugiyama insists that what Akita has done is not nature preservation but resource management. By increasing marine resources, fishermen are able to make a living. This was the major moving force of the hatahata fishing ban. Attempting to understand the natural world and taking the small steps humans are capable of, has led to what could be a remarkable contribution to humans and the environment.
"To me hatahata is the earth,"said Mr. Sugiyama. "If hatahata answer to the measures we have taken, it means that earth will answer to human attempts to manage resources." These two lines will echo in my mind for some time to come.
The small flames or passions of many locals led to a new attempt which is attempting to see if humans can create a response from our great mother earth. It seems to be working thus far.
Greg
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