Richardson 1

Jack Richardson

Phillips

English 3 Honors

8 May 2017

Consequences of Japanese Industrial Fishing

One of the most crucial tasks that faces human-kind, is the preservation and the

sustainability of our oceans and marine ecosystems. Our oceans make up 70% of our

planet, and are home to a plethora of aquatic species and organisms. However, many

species are being harvested to endangerment, and many ecosystems are being harmed due

to commercial fishing practices. Commercial fishing not only has deleterious effects on

the populations of many marine species, but also hinders the purity and pristine nature of

underwater habitats and ecosystems.

Japans economy relies heavily upon fish markets, bringing in an annual amount

of more than 1 trillion yen, or 14.5 billion dollars. Also, the average seafood intake of a

Japanese individual is 3 times that of an American (Sullivan). To feed this immense

craving for fish, the Japanese fish markets have to supply around 7.5 million tons of

seafood annually to consumers in Japan. With 23% of a Japanese persons diet being

from the sea, many fisheries have to supply for these markets, and the methods used to

harvest these species is harmful to our great oceans.

In order to satisfy the high demand for fish, Japanese fishing fleets have developed

efficient, but also harmful methods to catch large quantities of fish. Dredging, which is
 Richardson 2

normally used to harvest shellfish (scallops, crabs, and shrimp), involves dragging a giant

metal cage along the sea floor, fitted with metal teeth-like projections used to scoop up

the crustaceans into the cage. Those metal teeth tear through the sea floor, while ripping

through corals, and stirring up sediment which remains suspended in the water column

(Brown). Trawling is another method used by commercial fisherman, which utilizes a

similar metal cage, but is fitted with wheels to roll over rough and bumpy sea floors.

Trawling is used to catch bottom dwelling species, such as halibut, marine catfish, and a

few varieties of shark.

In addition to habitat destruction, Japanese commercial fishing vessels are often

responsible for the bycatch of many untargeted species. Bycatch, or accidental

entanglement in fishing gear (Henry) is a major contribution to the endangerment of a

plethora of marine species. Untargeted species that are accidentally caught are frequently

thrown back into the ocean dead, or on their last leg. John M. Ward from EBSCO

Industries claims bycatch to be ripe with moral issues, and also emphasizes the waste

of life that comes from bycaught species.

Much like bycatch, ghost fishing likewise hinders populations of marine

organisms. Ghost fishing occurs when improperly discarded fishing equipment continues

to catch fish. For example, a drift line that has been detached from the boat is still fitted

with baited hooks. Fish congregate to the bait, and often get caught or tangled in the

birds nest of fishing line. Sea turtles, Mahi, and Bonito are just a few examples of

species that fall victim to ghost fishing.

 Richardson 3

Because of practices like dredging and trawling, also including ghost fishing and

products of bycaught species, many target species such as Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna,

Manta Rays, and the Japanese Eel have been placed on the endangered species list. Some

of these species used to thrive in the wild ocean, with huge numbers in population. Since

the late 1950s, over 60 species of coral reef species have gone extinct. As populations of

marine species continue to dwindle, Japan is in the need for a new industry to save their

economy before its too late.

Including the endangerment of numerous species of coral and fish, Japan also

struggles with the problem of whaling. Although not always intentional, Japan and their

bycatch rates are responsible for over 300,000 illegally harvested whales. Leigh Henry

from the Inter Press Service proclaims that Bycatch poses an imminent threat to many

cetacean species, such as the North Atlantic Whale, the Humpback Whale, and Bottlenose

Dolphins. Because of the morality issues surrounding whaling, Japan finds themselves

in the firing line by animal rights activists around the globe, and other

environmentalists.

Another contribution to the overharvest of marine species, is the advancements in

technology that seafarers use while out in the ocean. The general population have gained

access to accurate radars, which pinpoint reef locations, and display to alert fisherman of

a condensed area of activity. All an individual has to do, is simply drop a trawl or large

net to capture an entire school of upwards of 50 tuna. Many people argue that why

overfishing wasnt a problem in earlier years, was because fishing fleets didnt possess

advanced radar equipment, and other gear used to track and locate fish.
 Richardson 4

Generally speaking, not only Japan faces these issues. Countries around the globe

are participating in harmful fishing industries, and are growing too dependent on the

ocean for the countrys income. By allowing marine species to replenish and repopulate,

and cutting down on the immense commercial fishing fleets, many marine populations of

fish, mammals, and reptiles alike will repopulate, and begin to stabilize the ocean to a

point of homeostasis. Turning our appetites away from the sea, and focusing them on a

more sustainable product will indefinitely yield a favorable outcome for our seas. The

Blue Planet is a beautiful thing, so why cant our population as a whole contribute to keep

it Blue?
 Richardson 5

Works Cited

Fishing and Farming Methods. Fishing and Farming Methods from the Seafood Watch

Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, 8 Oct. 2016.

Web. 24 Apr. 2017

Henry, Leigh. World Must Tackle the Biggest Killer of Whales and its Not Whaling. Inter

Press Service, 24 Oct, 2016, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcher

Hill, Jacob. Environmental Consequences of Fishing Practices. EnvironmentalScience.org

Environmental Sciences, 6 Nov, 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2017

Kang, Kevin. The Threats of Overfishing: Consequences at the Commercial Level. DUJS

Online. N.p. , 29 May 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2017

Lauck, Liz. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 1998 (on-line).

Ecological Effects of Fishing NOAAs State of the Coast Report. Silver Spring, MD:

NOAA

Sullivan, Molly. Challenges Facing Japans Marine Fisheries. Scientific American Blog

Network. N.P., 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2017

Ward, John M. Bycatch in Marine Fisheries. Ebscohost.com EBSCO Industries, n.d. Web. 21

Apr. 2017
Richardson 6