— Achieving Sustainable Fisheries through Fisheries Science × Economics —
About the Project
Our laboratory utilizes economics and data science to comprehensively research a wide range of fields—from fisheries management to consumer behavior—in pursuit of concrete solutions for realizing sustainable fisheries.
Globally, overfishing of marine resources has become a serious issue. At first glance, this problem might seem solvable by simply limiting catch volumes. However, indiscriminate restrictions can intensify competition among fishers to catch fish before others do. As this competition escalates, monitoring catch volumes becomes more difficult, potentially leading to situations where resources cannot be protected. Achieving sustainable fisheries requires a deep understanding of human behavior and system designs based on that understanding. Our laboratory is working to build effective fisheries management systems by combining fieldwork, economic theory, and big data analysis.
Turning our attention to seafood consumption, while global demand for seafood is increasing, our country has seen a long-term decline in fish consumption. Moreover, eco-labels indicating seafood from sustainable fisheries command price premiums in Western countries, but in our country, awareness of eco-labels is low, and there are no reports of such price premiums. The reasons behind these differences remain unexplained. Our laboratory is striving to understand consumer behavior through interviews, surveys, and economic experiments.
An emerging major theme in our recent consumer research is elucidating the value of seafood freshness and measuring the effects of freshness labeling. Based on our original hypothesis that the cause of declining fish consumption in our country is the worsening of "asymmetric information" (situations where consumers have less information about product quality than retailers), we believe that freshness labeling could alleviate this problem. In 2024, we conducted a field experiment in actual stores in partnership with a private company.
Reducing the environmental impact of fisheries is also an important research topic. Our laboratory conducts LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analyses on various fisheries and initiatives like fishing net recycling to explore specific methods for reducing environmental burdens. We are also involved in introducing smart fisheries and evaluating their effects—such as information sharing among fleets, recording and utilizing past operational data, and installing fish finders in set nets. We believe that these technologies not only improve operational efficiency but also contribute to reducing the environmental impact of fisheries, thereby aiding in the realization of sustainable fisheries.
Note: LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analysis is a method for quantitatively evaluating the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle (from resource extraction, raw material production, product manufacturing, distribution and consumption, to disposal and recycling) or at specific stages.
Trajectories of a purse seine fleet
Freshness labeling sales experiment in actual stores in partnership with private companies
The Need for Donations
In the wake of the 2018 revision of the Fisheries Act, the Japanese government is once again positioning the fisheries industry as a growth sector and aiming for its development. During this crucial period of transformation, it is imperative to establish cutting-edge research and educational frameworks to ensure that Japan's fisheries industry develops sustainably and gains international competitiveness. Our laboratory leverages economics and data science to propose innovative solutions for fisheries management and consumer behavior, tackling the challenges facing Japan's fisheries industry. However, achieving this requires sufficient research funding and human resources.
■Cultivating Young Researchers to Support the Future of Japan's Fisheries Industry
Nurturing young researchers is an urgent task. There are very few young professionals in Japan specializing in fisheries economics, and it is essential to secure talent to support the future of Japan's fisheries industry through their development. Employing outstanding postdoctoral researchers requires an annual budget of at least 6 million yen, but securing funds of that scale necessitates obtaining large research grants. However, competition for such grants is extremely fierce, and securing stable funding is not easy. Therefore, donations play a crucial role in advancing research steadily and sustainably.
■Engagement in International Research Activities and Strengthening Research Collaboration
We also need to actively engage in international research activities. Participating in international conferences in Europe and the United States requires approximately 400,000 to 500,000 yen per person per trip for conference fees, travel expenses, and accommodation. To conduct world-class research, it is indispensable to continually participate in overseas conferences, get exposed to cutting-edge research, and build networks with leading researchers. However, with limited funds, it is challenging to cover these expenses, and we are currently unable to adequately address this need. Through donations, we can actively promote these activities and strengthen international research collaboration.
■Aiming for Comprehensive Ocean Utilization with a Broad Range of Industries in View
Furthermore, it is necessary to broaden the scope of our research in the future. For instance, enhancing the productivity of coastal fisheries is said to require collaboration with agriculture and forestry conducted upstream in rivers, but this aspect has not yet been fully elucidated. Moreover, fisheries are not the only users of the ocean. Various industries are involved with the sea, including tourism, shipping, offshore wind power generation, and even the development of seabed resources. As a maritime nation, it is imperative to consider comprehensive ocean utilization that, while centering on fisheries, also takes these industries into account. To develop research from such an inclusive perspective, funding to support it is necessary.
How Your Generous Support Will Be Used
Through your donations, our laboratory is advancing various initiatives to pioneer the future of Japan's fisheries industry. Specifically, we are undertaking the following activities to seek concrete solutions for achieving sustainable fisheries:
・Cultivating Young Researchers
We are nurturing the next generation of researchers by supporting postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
・Promoting Global Research Activities
We enhance our research from a global perspective by encouraging participation in international conferences abroad and fostering international collaborative research.
・Strengthening On-Site Surveys Through Fieldwork
By conducting field investigations, we collect and analyze practical data, thereby increasing the reliability of our research.
・New Initiatives to Broaden Our Research Scope
We are expanding our research to a comprehensive perspective by collaborating with agriculture and forestry sectors and cooperating with other marine industries.
Through these efforts, we are building the foundation for Japan's fisheries industry to once again become a world-renowned growth sector.
A Request for Your Support
Through your generous donations, our laboratory can enhance and accelerate its activities, leading to several significant long-term outcomes.
Firstly, it is expected that Japan's fisheries industry will be re-established as a growth sector. Our laboratory conducts comprehensive research in both fisheries management and consumer behavior, aiming to realize a sustainable and highly profitable fisheries industry. This holistic approach is expected to promote growth across the entire industry and strengthen a stable and sustainable supply base for companies. A foundation will be built for Japan's fisheries industry to possess international competitiveness, and new business opportunities are expected to expand for related companies.
Next, our laboratory is anticipated to be established as a global hub for research and education. By developing as a place that offers top-tier lectures and guidance in fisheries economics and social sciences, we will become an important source of talent for the industry. Securing employment for young researchers and increasing the number of students advancing to doctoral programs will cultivate personnel with advanced expertise sought by companies, thereby improving the overall competitiveness of the industry.
Furthermore, a future where sustainable and abundant marine products are passed down to the next generation is anticipated. Species currently experiencing poor catches, such as Pacific saury and Japanese flying squid, will once again be supplied abundantly. This will protect the rich food cultures unique to each region and aim to create a society where many people can enjoy delicious fish at reasonable prices. This will maintain fisheries as a key industry in local areas and preserve the vitality of local communities. Along with the stability of the regional economy, consumers can also expect to have enriched dietary lives.
Your support will empower the sustainable development of the future fisheries industry and regional communities. We sincerely ask for your warm support.
Appreciation for Donations & Commemorative Gifts
We will provide updates on our laboratory's activities and announcements of lectures and other events through an annual email newsletter (scheduled to be sent in March).
In addition to the above, we will invite you to an exclusive online gathering for donors (scheduled to be held in March). We will answer your questions, from cutting-edge research findings to behind-the-scenes aspects of our work that are usually unseen.
In addition to the above, you may choose one of our laboratory’s recommended sustainable (*) seafood or processed seafood products from the list below. These items are sourced from regions and fishers involved in our research. By supporting our work on sustainable fisheries, you also support these fishers. If stock is available, your selection will be shipped within one month of receiving your donation.
Note: These products can only be shipped within Japan.Sustainability is determined by third-party certification or our laboratory’s assessment.
Available Gifts:
①Matsuura’s Fried Horse Mackerel Set (8 pieces × 2 packs) ※ Frozen product
Laboratory Comment: Made primarily with horse mackerel certified by Marine Ecolabel Japan, which recognizes sustainable fishery practices. This product won third place in the food category at the University of Tokyo’s May Festival in 2024.
②Natural Bluefin Tuna Lean Meat (approx. 180g) Caught by Daiichi Shofukumaru ※ Frozen product
Laboratory Comment: Certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which ensures sustainable fisheries. This product was featured in our 2023 economic experiments on eco-labels.
③Natural Bluefin Tuna Medium Fatty Meat (approx. 180g) Caught by Daiichi Shofukumaru ※ Frozen product
Laboratory Comment: Certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which ensures sustainable fisheries. This product was featured in our 2023 economic experiments on eco-labels.
In addition to the above, you will be offered a tour of a set net fishing vessel in Shizuoka Prefecture (2 days, 1 night) with explanations from our laboratory members.
Itinerary：
・Evening: Assemble on-site, dinner
・Night: Brief rest
・Early Morning: Depart around 3:00 AM
・Morning: Return around 5:00 AM, disband by 8:00 AM
For more details, please contact us.
Note: Transportation expenses are self-paid.For donations of 100,000 yen or more, after selecting “Support Project” on the form, please check the box for “Enter the details of your support destination.” Then, in the “Other” field, input your desired commemorative gift.
Project Leader
Yutaro Sakai
Department of Global Agricultural Sciences
Associate Professor
Related links
- Home｜Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
- Laboratory of Global Fisheries Science
- Yutaro Sakai
- Research Map（Yutaro Sakai）
