
OCEAN,
FISHERIES
AND OUR FUTURE
OUR MISSION
Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Fisheries
Having quality food and rich natural environment is important for spending healthy and happy life. However, we now face the changes of ocean environment, and the decline of fisheries production is also a concern. In order to protect our rich ocean environment and rebuild the fisheries industry, we will conduct research and make policy proposals for ocean sustainability.
ARTICLE
Articles are written in Japanese.
REPORT
Reports are written in Japanese.
Assessing the Effectiveness and Challenges of Resource Management Agreements
October 7, 2026
Under the revised Fisheries Act, which came into force in 2020, the former voluntary stock management measures known as "Resource Management Plans" were transitioned to "Resource Management Agreements." This report identifies the challenges facing Resource Management Agreements and outlines the measures needed to address them.
Summary of the IUCN "Guidelines for Applying the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories to Marine Protected Areas"
July 2, 2025
This document summarizes the IUCN guidelines on the management of marine protected areas (MPAs).
Case Studies in U.S. Fisheries Management
March 3, 2025
Drawing on four case studies of fisheries management in the United States, this report examines questions such as "Why did stock management succeed in the West Coast groundfish fishery but fail in the East Coast groundfish fishery?" and "Key considerations for designing effective stock rebuilding plans."
Summary of the IUCN "Guidelines for Designing Resilient MPA Networks"
January 20, 2025
This document summarizes the IUCN "Guidelines for Designing Resilient MPA Networks."
Assessing the Effectiveness and challenges of Japan's Current Marine Protected Areas
September 9, 2024
This report assesses the effectiveness and challenges of Japan's marine protected areas, both in their legal framework and in practice, with the aim of providing reference information for the future expansion of high-quality MPAs and OECMs.
Changing Ocean Conditions and the Decline of Wild Tiger Pufferfish Stocks
February 2, 2024
How are changing ocean conditions affecting Japan's fishery resources? Focusing on the decline of wild tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) stocks, this report proposes establishing a collaborative data-collection framework between fishers and scientists as a countermeasure.
"Five Recommendations" for Rebuilding Fishery Resources and Ensuring Their Sound Management in Japan
April 5, 2023
Recommendations from the Resource Recovery Forum, for which our Institute serves as the secretariat. Amid continued declines in fisheries production and fishery resources, these recommendations set out how to rebuild fish stocks through progress in stock management under the revised Fisheries Act and how to build an economically viable fisheries structure.
Stock Status of Japan's Top 12 Fish Species by Catch Volume and Analysis of the Drivers of Low Abundance
August 23, 2022
Are fishery resources in the waters around Japan declining because of environmental or international factors, or because of overfishing? This report analyzes the drivers, which differ by species.
OUR WORK

RESEARCH
Research and proposals on the promotion of sustainable seafood production, distribution, sales and consumption, and also on the relevant environmental policies.

FORUM
Organizing a forum for the recovery of fishery resources.

CONSULTING
Providing consulting and advisory on sustainably fisheries, ocean and environmental policy, etc.
MEMBER

MAKOTO KUMEI
Representative
Worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2002 to 2013
After Working at private firms on agriculture, forestry and fisheries business promotion and consulting on environmental policy, established UMINEKO Sustainability Institute in 2021

MASANORI MIYAHARA
Advisor
Representative of Yorozu Fisheries Counseling afc. masa
Advisor to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Former Deputy Director-General of the Fisheries Agency, Former President of the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency
CONTACT
UMINEKOサステナビリティ研究所
UMINEKO Sustainability Institute (USI)
064-0809北海道札幌市中央区南9条西15丁目2-5
2-5, South-9 West-15, Chuoku, Sapporo 064-0809 Japan




