Sustainability in Fisheries and Its Assessment
Sustainable fisheries represent a critical challenge that we must address, as highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conventional fishing practices have put considerable pressure on marine life. In recent years, however, various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries have emerged both in Japan and overseas. This article focuses on the sustainability of fisheries and introduces the environmental issues they face, along with new initiatives to restore ocean health.
Table of Contents
The Growing Importance of Sustainability in Fisheries
The importance of “sustainability” is rising across many fields, and fisheries are no exception.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted at the UN General Assembly in 2015, include Goal 14, “Life Below Water.” Its targets include 14.02 “Protect and restore marine ecosystems,” 14.04 “End overfishing and secure the future of fisheries,” and 14.06 “Eliminate subsidies that contribute to overfishing,” which demonstrate that fisheries are a major subject of international debate (*1).
Interest in sustainable fisheries is increasing in Japan as well. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released its Biodiversity Strategy in March 2023, which includes policies to promote biodiversity conservation in the fisheries sector (*2). These measures include biodiversity-conscious stock enhancement and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture.
Several long-standing challenges in fisheries underpin this rising attention. Overfishing has had a major impact on fishery resources. The FAO reports that one-third of global fish stocks are already overfished, and only around 10% have room for expansion (*3).
Japan is also beginning to see impacts on catch volume. For example, the catch of cutlassfish—a signature species of Oita Prefecture—has fallen to about one-twentieth of its peak twenty years ago (*4). Rising sea surface temperatures and the decline of large, fertile individuals are believed to be contributing factors, and local fishers have voiced concerns such as “some boats are taking even undersized cutlassfish, leaving none behind”, making resource recovery an urgent issue (*4).
IUU fishing is another growing concern. IUU refers to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing, and its global catch value is estimated at USD 36.4 billion—or approximately JPY 5.4 trillion at February 2024 rates (*5). Japan’s countermeasures lag behind those of Europe and the United States. Although the Act on Ensuring the Proper Distribution of Seafood was enacted in December 2022 to prevent the inflow of IUU products, it currently covers only seven species, prompting WWF Japan and others to call for broader action (*6).
Bycatch is also a major environmental issue in fisheries. Bycatch refers to the unintentional capture of non-target fish or marine species during fishing operations. This becomes especially problematic when endangered or protected species such as sea turtles or dolphins are accidentally caught in nets or on hooks, injured, and ultimately killed. In addition, when fish that serve as prey for other species are carelessly harvested, bycatch may disrupt marine food chains. It can also lead to the removal of juvenile fish before they reach maturity, posing a risk that overall fish populations may decline to levels where they can no longer be sustainably maintained (*7).
Given these impacts on nature, it is essential to consider sustainability in fisheries to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
Sustainability in Aquaculture
While marine ecosystems have been damaged by overfishing, IUU fishing, and bycatch—and while catch volumes continue to decline—global demand for aquatic products continues to rise. Aquaculture is essential to meeting this demand while reducing pressure on the environment.
According to the World Resources Institute, aquaculture production is projected to double by 2050 compared to 2011 levels (*8).
FAO data further indicate that aquaculture production has grown significantly as a source of fish and seafood for human consumption. The share of aquaculture in global edible fish supply rose from just 7% in 1974 to 39% in 2004. By 2014, aquaculture production reached 73.8 million tons, with an estimated producer price of USD 160.2 billion. In 2014, China’s aquaculture production reached 45.5 million tons, accounting for 60% of global aquaculture output. Other major producers include India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Egypt. These figures show that aquaculture production is heavily concentrated in Asia (*9).
Aquaculture can involve full-cycle aquaculture, in which fish are raised from eggs, or grow-out aquaculture, in which juveniles are collected and raised (*10). Juvenile fish are placed in aquaculture pens and fed dry pellets or moist pellets consisting of compound feed powder mixed with sardines and mackerel. As they grow, they are moved to larger pens and raised under controlled water quality, temperature, and feed management (*11).
In nature, many species, including fish, die before reaching adulthood. Aquaculture allows humans to raise fish that would otherwise have died in the wild to maturity, so that these resources can be used more fully for human consumption (*12).
Because aquaculture does not directly harvest fish from the wild, it may reduce direct ecosystem impacts compared to wild-capture fishing, bringing attention to aquaculture as a more environmentally friendly approach.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is actively supporting ecosystem restoration through aquaculture. TNC reports that expanding resilient aquaculture and improving wild fisheries management could sustainably increase ocean-based food supply by 36–74% by 2050 (*13).
Environmental impacts differ depending on aquaculture methods. For example, Professor Overton of the University of Melbourne notes that seaweed and shellfish grown in coastal waters can remove excess nutrients from urban and agricultural runoff, reducing the risk of harmful algal blooms (*14).
Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture
However, aquaculture is not environmentally harmless. Although its emissions are generally lower than those of many land-based industries, aquaculture still contributes to GHG emissions through the use of fossil fuel-based energy, the production of feed ingredients, and the deforestation associated with cultivating feed crops and constructing aquaculture facilities (*15).
Coastal aquaculture can also degrade entire bay ecosystems, and land conversion for aquaculture ponds has caused ecological damage. The harvesting of juvenile fish used as feed also poses risks to marine ecosystems (*16).
Thus, aquaculture cannot automatically be deemed more sustainable than marine fishing. Appropriate evaluation is essential.
New Initiatives Addressing Aquaculture’s Environmental Impact
One advanced example of sustainable aquaculture is “Umi to Sachi,” a brand developed by UMITRON Corporation. UMITRON applies technology such as AI and IoT to address key challenges in aquaculture (*17).
The “Umi to Sachi” brand, launched in January 2020, offers delicious, safe, and sustainable farmed fish. As part of this initiative, UMITRON conducted a life-cycle GHG assessment of farmed red sea bream, and our company provided analytical review (*18). The brand continues to promote sustainable seafood and contribute to the long-term health of marine resources (*19).
Skretting, a global aquafeed manufacturer headquartered in Norway, operates the only aquafeed plant in Japan dedicated to sustainable feed development. The company has focused on the unsustainability of “using fish as feed for fish” and has worked to reduce reliance on fishmeal, the traditional main ingredient in aquafeed. Under its policy of lowering fishmeal content, it developed the “New Sustain” feed, which successfully reduced fishmeal inclusion to 30% and became a major hit. Since around 2012, sustainability has gained increasing importance in Japan’s fisheries sector, and many aquaculture companies seeking ASC certification have adopted Skretting’s feed.
However, Skretting remains the sole domestic supplier of sustainable feed, underscoring the need for industry-wide efforts to improve sustainability and cost performance (*20).
Environmental Impact Assessment of Conventional Fisheries
Environmental Impacts of Conventional Fisheries
Conventional coastal, offshore, and distant-water fisheries have contributed to overfishing and declining fish stocks, and may further degrade marine environments. In particular, Japan’s resource management systems have lagged behind those of other major fishing nations. As a result of continued overfishing, its catch volumes have been declining year after year. Compared with leading fishing nations in Northern Europe and Oceania, Japan’s catches are significantly lower. In contrast, countries that have adopted science-based fishery management have achieved substantial growth in their fisheries sectors (*21).
In response, priority has increasingly been placed on measures that put the management of catch volumes first. In Japan, the revision of the Fisheries Act in 2018 led to the implementation of a resource management system that is fundamentally based on TAC (Total Allowable Catch) under the Fisheries Act. TAC refers to a system in which allowable catch levels are scientifically assessed for each species and used to set upper limits on catches. By preventing overfishing and promoting the maintenance and recovery of fish stocks, this approach aims to conserve fishery resources and support the long-term sustainability of the fisheries industry. (*22)
Resources managed under TAC are designated as “Specified Fishery Resources” in the Basic Policy for Fishery Resource Management established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. To manage these resources under TAC, it is necessary to conduct resource surveys based on sufficient information, carry out resource assessments that reflect the latest scientific knowledge, clarify the target stock levels to be achieved, and then set explicit management objectives on that basis (*23).
IQ (Individual Quota) systems also support effective management. IQ assigns catch quantities to individual vessels or fishers, and prohibits catches that exceed those allocations. This eliminates race-to-fish competition and helps curb excessive investment, offering clear advantages for both resource conservation and economic efficiency. Countries such as Iceland and Norway have successfully adopted this system. (*24).
Japan’s first adoption of IQ began in 2011 in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, for nanban shrimp pot fisheries. Research indicates that the average price of nanban shrimp increased following IQ adoption. This suggests that the introduction of IQ not only eliminated destructive competition for catches but also improved operational and economic efficiency for fishers (*25).
Initiatives Toward Sustainable Conventional Fisheries
Some conventional fisheries have achieved high sustainability ratings. For example, Usufuku Honten Co., Ltd., which specializes in distant-water tuna, has obtained certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international seafood certification scheme. The Atlantic bluefin tuna caught by the company was the first globally to receive MSC certification; only one additional fishery, a French set-net operation, has since followed (*26).
MSC certification is an eco-label for sustainably sourced wild seafood. It is proof that wild seafood has been caught by fisheries that are sustainably managed, with due regard for fishery resources and the environment, and certified products are handled separately from non-certified ones. Assessments are carried out by independent certification bodies using verifiable scientific criteria. Obtaining certification typically takes around one to one and a half years, and in some cases several years. Once granted, certification must be renewed every five years (*27).
Although difficult to obtain, even distant-water fisheries have achieved certification, demonstrating that environmental impact varies by fishery and must be assessed individually.
President Sotaro Usui of Usufuku Honten stresses that it is essential to build commercial practices in which wild seafood that is sustainably and appropriately managed, with due regard for the environment, is traded and purchased. He notes “ongoing challenges such as rising fuel costs, declining fish prices, labor shortages, and the introduction of international regulations that impose catch limits. He also highlights the issue of low-priced tuna imports from Asian countries where catch information is not disclosed, which undercut tuna caught by Japanese vessels.” To protect fishery resources and ensure that fish remain available as a food source in the future, both industry stakeholders and individual consumers must act with a clear awareness of sustainability. (*28).
New Initiatives for Other Types of Fisheries
New initiatives also engage not only fishers but also consumers and youth. One example is the “Future Recipe Contest 2024,” organized by the Sustainable Restaurant Association Japan (SRA). The theme of this year’s contest is “sustainable seafood.” It targets young chefs, culinary researchers, and students at culinary and confectionery schools, with the aim of increasing the number of chefs who are interested in sustainability and who put it into practice, deepening consumer awareness of sustainability, and building stronger connections between restaurants and consumers. Our company also collaborates on this contest.
Applicants are asked to explain (i) why the ingredients they use qualify as sustainable seafood, and (ii) which issues affecting oceans and rivers they hope to communicate through their dishes. They must also design recipes with explicit attention to three evaluation criteria: “Sustainability (Transformative Power),” “Creativity (Power to Communicate),” and “Presentation (Power to Captivate). Chefs are expected to submit recipes that embody these criteria and tell a compelling sustainability story from their own perspective, which is a key point in the judging process (*29).
The Value of LCA in Evaluating Sustainable Fisheries
To better evaluate the impacts of fisheries, experts are calling for comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA is increasingly recognized in the fisheries sector as a method for assessing environmental impacts, and many companies have started using it because it enables the quantitative measurement of environmental burdens.
In aquaculture, LCA reflects environmental pollution associated with energy generation for operations, as well as the amount of wild fish used in feed. It also accounts for the land occupied by facilities themselves and the land required to cultivate crops used as feed inputs. While some argue that comparing different production methods is difficult, LCA remains a very rational tool for evaluating each individual production system (*18).
Enhancing Corporate and Product Value
Corporate disclosure and evaluation frameworks related to environmental and ESG indicators are evolving rapidly. Staying ahead of these developments offers major advantages, yet the technical and analytical demands can strain limited internal resources.
Our company streamlines and strengthens analytical models for quantifying environmental indicators across various food products—including primary seafood products, processed goods, and restaurant menus—and provides systems and services to support effective implementation. If you are interested in enhancing the value of your products using food eco-labels that go beyond carbon reduction, please feel free to contact us.
“cuoncrop” ESG Global Trend Research Division
References
1.https://www.asahi.com/ads/sdgs169/result/
2.https://www.maff.go.jp/j/kanbo/kankyo/seisaku/midori/attach/pdf/honbu-87.pdf
4.https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/kyushu/news/20231102-OYTNT50061/
5.https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing
6.https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/830369
7.https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/oceans-at-risk/what-is-bycatch-and-how-can-it-be-managed
8.https://research.wri.org/wrr-food/course/increase-fish-supply-synthesis
11.https://www.maff.go.jp/j/heya/kodomo_sodan/0007/11.html
10．https://www.fao.org/4/i1707e/i1707e00.pdf
11. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/aquaculture
12.https://osakana.suisankai.or.jp/s-growth/95
16..https://worldoceanreview.com/en/wor-2/aquaculture/eco-friendly-aquaculture/
17.https://umitron.com/en/index.html
18. https://pr-en.umitron.com/post/686544739637624832/lca
19.https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000028.000034537.html
20.https://times.seafoodlegacy.com/yuta_hamasaki_jp/
21. https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/626502
22. https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/rules/fishing-quotas_en
23. https://www.fao.org/4/v9878e/v9878e00.htm
26.https://www.spf.org/opri/newsletter/492_1.html
27. https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/our-approach/what-does-the-blue-msc-label-mean