Structural reforms are being adopted by the fishing industry throughout Japan. Although academic reports on the implementation of these initiatives were published soon after these reforms began, no independent tests or studies have been carried out since. We examined the offshore trawl fishery in Hamada as a case study, focusing on the relationship between fishermen, research institutes and marketing agencies. In doing so, we sought to clarify the best way to implement structural reforms in the fishing industry. The findings revealed that cooperation between fishermen and research institutes is important, as it is central to fostering collaboration and for improving the profits generated by fisheries. In addition, trends in the distribution-processing sector, which functions to receive catches, need to be monitored while pushing forward with structural reforms to further improve fisheries. In instances where trends in the distribution-processing sector affect fishery profits, measures need to be adopted in the distribution-processing sector in parallel with structural reforms in the fishing industry in order to ensure the continuation of both sectors.
Structural reforms
Offshore trawl fishery
Cooperation between fishermen and the research institute
Distribution-processing sector