DOST-PCAARRD, UPV Conduct Fisheries Benchmarking in Japan

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The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) funded the project “Assessing and Accelerating: Towards the Full Implementation of the FAO Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines in the Philippines.”

As part of the project, a benchmarking activity was conducted in Japan from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2, 2025. Tokai University and Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Japan hosted the event.

The project is being implemented at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in collaboration with Batangas State University ARASOF-Nasugbu (BatStateU ARASOF-Nasugbu), Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSU at Naawan), Partido State University (PSU), and Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST). These institutions are members of the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development, or TBTI Philippines, based at UPV.

The research team includes:

Prof. Alice Joan Ferrer – UPV vice chancellor for academic affairs, executive director of TBTI Philippines, and project leader

Prof. Harold Monteclaro – Dean, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UPV

Prof. Maria Luisa Valdez – Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, BatStateU ARASOF-Nasugbu

Dr. Anabelle Dece Espadero – Director, Research and Innovation Institute, MSU at Naawan

Prof. Raul Bradecina – Vice president for research, extension, and knowledge management, PSU

Assoc. Prof. Maila Pan – Officer-in-charge, vice president for research, innovation, and extension, ZSCMST

Ms. Jinky Hopanda – Project technical specialist

Ms. Pearl Aljean Santacera – Project technical assistant

Dr. Yinji Li, associate professor at Tokai University’s School of Marine Science and Technology and hub coordinator of TBTI Japan, led the hosting of the benchmarking activity. Tokai University is one of Japan’s largest research institutions, with seven campuses nationwide.

TBTI country hubs strengthen national networks of researchers and stakeholders supporting small-scale fisheries. They highlight small-scale fisheries’ role in food security, social well-being, and ecosystem health while advocating for their inclusion in national policies. The eight TBTI country hubs are in Bangladesh, Canada, Ecuador, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, and the Philippines.

Despite being a developed country, Japan’s fisheries sector is primarily small-scale and has a long tradition of coastal community-based fisheries management. The benchmarking activity aimed to examine the implementation of the SSF Guidelines in Japan, identify key lessons, and assess challenges in their application.

In Tokyo, the research team met with officials from Japan’s central government, specifically the Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

They also held roundtable discussions with national fisheries institutions and associations, including the National Association of Fisheries Infrastructure (NAFI), the Japanese Institute of Fisheries Infrastructure and Communities (JIFIC), and the National Federation of Fisheries Mutual Aid Associations (NFFMAA).

In Shizuoka, the Fisheries Development Division shared the prefectural government’s current fisheries programs and future initiatives.

The Fisheries Vocational High School welcomed the research team, showcasing its facilities and highlighting its role in training future leaders of Japan’s fishing industry.

The team also met with Fisheries Cooperative Associations (FCAs) in Shizuoka’s fishing communities, including Mochimune FCA, Yui FCA, Yaizu FCA, and Marukai fish buyers and processors. These cooperatives play a vital role in fisheries management and community development.

Prof. Hiroshi Saito, dean of Tokai University’s School of Marine Science and Technology, introduced the team to the university’s research and training vessel, Bosei Maru. The vessel is used for oceanographic research and educational cruises.

The research team also participated in an exchange event organized by “Girls Who Fish Japan,” a program inspired by Canada’s “Girls Who Fish.” The event featured lectures by Prof. Izumi Seki of Tokai University’s Faculty of Humanities and Prof. Ferrer. Prof. Seki discussed gender and fisheries in Japan, while Prof. Ferrer presented insights from the Philippines.

An art workshop, supervised by Prof. Ferrer, followed the lectures. Participants created artworks using plastic waste.

Prof. Ferrer and Prof. Monteclaro awarded a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Li for her invaluable support in hosting the benchmarking activity. They also presented her with a copy of “Portrait of Small-Scale Fishers in the Philippines,” a book edited by Prof. Ferrer and Prof. Monteclaro.

The benchmarking activity strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange to support the small-scale fisheries sector in the Philippines. (Pearl Aljean Santacera)