Fisheries Management in Japan

volume that focuses on fisheries biology, stock assessments, fishing gear, total catches and legislation.  In Fisheries Management in Japan Dr. Makino seeks to explain the complex interplay between biology, ecology, society, economy, and management institutions in ways that both engage and inspire readers to really think about how and why fisheries management works and the significance of fisheries in broader ocean management.  His intelligent weaving of together of these multiple elements of Japanese fisheries management is brought fully into the forefront of fisheries management issues being addressed globally today and for tomorrow."David Fluharty School of Marine and Environmental Affairs University of Washington, USA"Dr. Mitsutaku Makino is the only one international fisheries researcher who can discuss about Japanese fisheries management system, as far as I know. While I was working in FAO and SEAFDEC, I had tried to promote an application of appropriate management system for the coastal (small scale) fisheries with a large number of people in tropical areas, knowing that Japanese coastal fisheries management system can be an ideal model if it is appropriately modified. "Fisheries Management in Japan: its institutional features and case studies" written by Dr. M. Makino is a book that I have been looking for to obtain scientific bases on alternate fisheries management using Japanese system. I believe that the book can also be useful for the people who have struggled with the western fisheries management system that cannot be applicable for coastal fisheries with a large number of people in tropical areas."Yasuhisa Kato Kagoshima University, JapanFormer Director of UN FAO and Special Advisor of SEAFDEC"This first ever comprehensive book on Japanese Fisheries in English is indeed welcome. Despite the fact that several articles on Japanese fisheries give readers a glimpse of the nature of this industry, this book covers aspects of its history, management and the sensitive relationship between the customary practice and livelihoods in the context of the modern state and industrial fisheries. The author has succeeded to compile a work that is both readable and greatly informative. For us in India where the livelihoods of millions depend on the coastal artisanal fishery and where at the same time the fish resources are in jeopardy at this time of rapid development, there is much to learn from Japan. The examples that highlight the respect for the customary rights to the resources, resource management particularly the participation of people through the cooperative setup and the interaction of the research institutions with the fisher communities are particularly illuminating."Nalini NayakInternational Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), India "During almost 8 years I have been studying Japanese coastal fisheries and aquaculture. I traveled all around Japan, from Shiretoko to Iriomote, passing by Onnagawa, Noto peninsula, Uwajima and Kami-Goto, I met with hundred of fishers, visited many fisheries cooperatives, harbors and villages. I also made many friends amongst the outstanding community of coastal fishers in Japan. This was between 1981 and 1990. At that time, I planned to write a book about Japanese coastal fisheries. My intention was to show to colleagues how rich, diverse, interesting, performant, original, was the Japanese coastal fisheries, how these fishers are able to evolve, to adapt and to develop by using most modern technologies in the respect of their tradition and of the nature. I was fascinating by the high level of organization, and by the special relationship between the fishers and the sea. Unfortunately, the subject was too vast, too complex, and I did not write this book... Now 20 years later, Dr. Makino did it! His book is an excellent overview of the Japanese fisheries. It goes from fundamental information, to case studies and the most updated considerations. It is setting the basis for further in-depth reflections on the role of coastal fisheries in the implementation of an ecosystem approach. It places the coastal fisheries as a key actor of this approach. This book provide an excellent and necessary link between the coastal fisheries world (with all its history and traditions) and the modern concepts of management of the sea, including biodiversity conservation, marine protected areas, and human development. It eventually addresses the sustainable development of the Japanese coastal areas. This is a very important effort. I hope it will be followed by many other young scientists, experts in fisheries biology, marine ecology, sociology and ethnology, political sciences and Law of the sea. The Japanese experience in coastal fisheries management is key for the sustainable development of fisheries at the global level. Although it might not be possible to copy it in other countries, due to the specificities of the Japanese culture and its approach to the nature, it is highly inspiring and all managers involved in fisheries management and nature conservation should read this book."François Simard Deputy Director, Senior Advisor for Fisheries Global Marine and Polar ProgrammeIUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) , Switzerland