Message from the Director General of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center
In order to contribute to the "ensuring of a stable supply of marine products" and "sound development of the fisheries industry", which are the Basic Act on Fisheries, the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (JAMARC) implements demonstration studies in which trial operations and sales are conducted at fishery sites, with the aim of developing resources and fishing grounds that have yet to be used and to commercialize new fishery production methods.
Raising Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is an important challenge, also in view of the unstable world situation in recent years. As such, the Japanese fishing and aquaculture industries are becoming increasingly important for raising the self-sufficiency rate of marine products. In addition, some fisheries have recently suffered unprecedented poor catches due to fluctuations in the amount of target resources and drastic changes in fishing grounds which are considered to be associated with climate change that has not been experienced in the past. The fishing and aquaculture industries are thus facing a major turning point, and fisheries are required to make a substantial transition based on the amended Fishery Act that came into effect in December 2020.
To achieve such transition, it is essential to develop resources and fishing grounds that have yet to be fully used, improve and develop sustainable production systems for fishing boat fisheries based on resource control measures and energy-saving, low-cost, and profitable fishery production systems using the latest technology, and promote demonstration projects for commercializing new aquaculture technology. Moreover, there is a need to develop flexible fishery frameworks that can respond to an increase/decrease in resources and changes in fishing grounds. Aiming to tackle these challenges, we at JAMARC implement development and research projects in which our staff directly conduct empirical tests at fishery sites. Recently, we have engaged in the development of efficient fishing operation methods for remote, offshore, and coastal fisheries, using diverse data, the latest information and communication technologies, robot technology, etc., and in the development of production technology for enhancing the value of catches throughout the production to distribution processes. Further, in coordination with the fishing sector, we promote the maximization and social implementation of the research and development results of the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, including the deployment of new aquaculture technology.
To ensure a stable supply of marine products and sustainable development of the fishing industry, JAMARC will continue to work vigorously to respond to the various on-site needs of the fishing industry.
April 1, 2023
Yamashita Hideyuki
Director General, Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center
