In recent years the erosion of our beach coastlines has become particularly noticeable. Our sandy beaches fulfill many necessary coastal functions and their restoration, maintenance and creation are important for both the present and for the future. For this purpose, we need to effectively manage the transportation of our limited sand resources from mountainous regions right down to our seashores.

Some years ago, through enormous investment and trade with Australia, Japan encouraged the Australian fishing industry to turn its blue fin tuna resources into a major export item to Japan. However, once highly valued blue fin tuna established substantial market in Japan, Australia was tempted to exclude Japanese tuna vessels from her 200 nautical-mile zones with a hope of maximizing the profit from southern blue fin tuna. Furthermore, Australians' strong interest in preservation of the environment complicated the issue politically. However, with a judgment by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which was not in favor for the claims requested by the Australian and New Zealand governments, it seems finally as if both parties are moving towards a mutually benefited normalization process.

In the inland sea of Japan, efforts to free up entry across prefectural boundaries has enabled the efficient utilization of limited fishing grounds and has increased output in the area. In order to allow this common entry without confining fishing vessels to their prefectural territory, the preparation of complicated rules regarding entry conditions is required. The inland sea of Japan provides many examples of this effective kind of operation.