CITES decided to list major sharks and rays in Appendix II at CoP19 in November 2022, and regulations are now in progress. Japan took the position that the introduction of regulations would have a negative impact on fisheries, and has entered reservations for almost all shark species. But if the system is designed appropriately regulations can provide more than a few benefits for fishermen and processors who aim for sustainable fishing. In the future, efforts should be made to harmonize the implementation of CITES with domestic fisheries legislation through a transparent process, with the cooperation of an international network of scientists.

After three years of monitoring surveys and research into past documents, the Toba City Ocean Red Data Book 2023 will be published by the Tourism and Commerce Division of Toba City Hall, Mie Prefecture. This is the first of its kind in a city, ward, town or village in Mie Prefecture, so along with the rich natural environment it is our hope that it will help the researchers on which Japan’s future depends convey the region’s many charms. We also hope that it will serve as a resource for local measures and ultimately the national ocean policy.

To survive in the vast ocean with their small bodies, juvenile fish have honed various survival strategies. These diverse ways of life are intriguing enough in themselves to generate further interest in the marine environment and ecosystems. I would like here to introduce our initiative of the Yo-Gyo Aquarium that specializes in displaying juvenile fish, the creation of culture I hope to foster in cooperation with experts in various fields, and the growing understanding and interest in the ocean that we hope these will lead to in the future.