It has been 20 years since integrated coastal management (ICM) initiatives began to be undertaken in various parts of the region under the guidance of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA). In Japan, following the 2007 enactment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy, the first such initiative began in 2010 with the Shima ICM model site. As local governments need to play major roles in order to implement Agenda 21 amid changing conditions, capacity development is important for success in local implementation of ICM programs.

There are two types of fish farming. In the single generation harvest type, fry are released into the natural population in order to increase the total catch. In the reproductive type, fry are released for the purpose of increasing the number of adult fish capable of spawning, thus increasing the natural population catch in the next generation. In the Iwami Sea area of Shimane Prefecture, the results of flounder releases by the fish farming industry can be thought to be a combination of both the direct effects and reproductive effects.

The Sakura-ebi (a sergestid shrimp) fishing industry, aiming at sustainability, has for the last 50 years operated on a pool system in which all of the boats set out together daily and then the proceeds from their catch are distributed equally among them, based on an agreement. Nevertheless, the catch has been decreasing compared to earlier levels. While one of the reasons for the decline in resources has been the rapid progress in fishing technology, there also seems to be a deep connection with dramatic coastal development such as trunk roads, breakwaters, and industries in the last 50 years.
Selected Papers No.19(p.21)