24 JUNE 2013 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG based on regional needs, fully utilizing fishery resources in the region, and providing a stable supply of safe food to consumers. The goal is not only to re-establish fisheries of the pre-tsunami period but also to improve on conventional fishing technologies by developing and implementing more energy- or cost-efficient types. The Fisheries Research Agency will focus on investigating impacts of the earthquake and tsunami on fishing grounds and fisheries and aquaculture facilities, as well as provide support for oceanographic monitoring and rebuilding of the fisheries sector. Government-provided funding is being used to facilitate the relocation of disaster-hit residential areas, to rebuild damaged fishing ports, and to construct new houses for disaster victims (Jiji Press 2012). By May 2012, most of the damaged Japanese fishing ports restarted operations. Ninety-seven percent have undergone substantial restoration. Although catches in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures have been gradually increasing, the area is still far from fully recovered, which has been hampered by delays in the reconstruction of fish-processing facilities and low catches (DYO 2013). Only 1/3 of the approximately 200 processing facilities in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, are operational. In Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, 2012 landings were valued at 15.8 and 42.3 billion yen (67 percent and 72 percent of pre-disaster levels), respectively. As of September 2012, 75 percent of the wakame seaweed culture in Iwate prefecture and 63 percent of the coho salmon production in Miyagi prefecture has been restored. The density of short-neck clams cultured from June 2011 — June 2012 in Matsukawaura Lagoon, Fukushima, was extremely low. However, the subsequent year class is at almost at an equal level to that before the tsunami, indicating quick recovery (Iwasaki et al. 2012). Debris has been removed from 74 percent of the damaged aquaculture facilities. Sixty-one percent of seafood processing plants have been rebuilt, and 41 percent of damaged fishing vessels have been repaired or replaced. In Miyako, the central and local governments, with assistance from local fisheries associations, subsidized the cost of new vessels for fishermen, but initially boat manufacturers could not keep up with the demand (Fukada 2011). The Japanese government has financially supported 67 percent of the cost with the aim of recovering 12,000 boats and ships. This goal has been achieved in part because fishermen from other localities have contributed excess vessels. Industry members are sharing fishing boats and freezer space in efforts to boost profitability (Jiji Press 2012). Notes Michelle L. Walsh, University of New Hampshire, Department of Biological Sciences, Spaulding Life Sciences, 38 Academic Way, Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, United States Katsuma Hanafusa, Fisheries Research Agency, 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8907, Japan Acknowledgments This article was inspired by and is based on a presentation given by Katsuma Hanafusa (Executive Director, Fisheries Research Agency) at the 40th U.S.-Japan Natural Resources Panel on Aquaculture Scientific Symposium in Oahu, Hawaii, 21-26 October 2013. Additional details were provided by researchers at Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan: Toshihiro Wada and Takeshi Tomiyama (currently at Hiroshima University). Special thanks to Elizabeth Fairchild for editorial advice and to Sayaka Tokunaga for assistance. References BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2013. Japan marks quake and tsunami anniversary. News Asia. British Broadcasting Corporation. March 11. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worldasia-21737931 Choi, C. Q. 2013. Fisheries another victim of Japan tsunami. Our Amazing Planet. January 18. http://www.ouramazingplanet. com/4013-japan-tsunami-damaged-fisheries.html DYO (The Daily Yomiuri). 2013. Fisheries still not fully recovered. The Daily Yomiuri. January 16, 2013. http://www. accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-315049775/fisheries-still-notfully.html Fujita, A. 2013. Japan marks 2-year anniversary of triple disaster. American Broadcasting Company News. March 11. http:// abcnews.go.com/International/japan-marks-year-anniversarytriple-disaster/story?id=18699894#.UVXwZBlAsjs LEFT: Wreckage of shellfish culture gear and boats. RIGHT: National Federation of Fishery Processor’s Cooperative Association transported processed fish products to Kamaishi.
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