The North Pacific island nation of Palau will prohibit the operation of commercial fishing vessels in 2020, allowing existing licenses expire. Japanese tuna fishing vessels will be affected, and the Nippon Keizai Shimbun reports that there is concern in Japan about such policies spreading to other waters.
Palau’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a good fishing ground for tuna and bonito, but fishery managers there have been plagued by illegal operation of foreign ships and deterioration of the environment.
Japan has cooperated with Palau to address maritime security. The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, both based in Tokyo, have provided a 10-year, USD 70 million (EUR 57.4 million) assistance program to support to Palau’s Coast Guard capabilities and promote eco-conscious tourism. The grants include a 40-meter patrol boat and three smaller patrol boats, as well as an administration building, and salary for the crew for 10 years. Additionally, the grant includes a high-speed inflatable boat, a pick-up truck, and satellite communication facilities. However, as the deadline approaches, it does not appear that these efforts have resulted in any change of policy in Japan’s favor.
In addition to this closing, the cost of tuna fishing in the Pacific is rising for Japan. The “vessel day scheme” used by Pacific island countries in the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) charges vessels thousands of U.S. dollars for each day they fish, and the price is rising year by year. Since 2010, the PNA's eight member countries have seen revenue from the vessel day scheme increase more than eight-fold to nearly USD 500 million (EUR 409.6 million)
In May, leaders from Japan and the island countries will gather for the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Fukushima Prefecture. The event is held every three years, and usually features the announcement of Japanese aid packages to the island nations. This year, it may serve as a forum to address access for Japan’s tuna and bonito fleets.
Photo courtesy of Jonne Roriz
