Japanese MSC Project Pre-Assessment for:

Selected west coast of Hokkaido (Sea of Japan) Fisheries

Japanese Islands Project Pre-Assessment

March 2018

Prepared For: CSN Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd. (www.chihousousei.co.jp ) Toshio Kimura, Prepared By: Akroyd J., Medley P., Southall T. and Tamura Y.

CONTENTS Contents ...... i Glossary ...... iv Executive summary ...... vi 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Aims/scope of pre-assessment ...... 1 1.1.1 Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd (CSN) ...... 1 1.2 Constraints of the pre-assessment ...... 2 1.3 Unit(s) of Assessment ...... 2 1.4 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Catch Data ...... 3 2. Description of the fisheries ...... 4 2.1 Kita Rumoi Deep Water Prawn Fishery (UoAs 1 -4) ...... 4 2.1.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme ...... 4 2.1.2 Fishery Characteristics ...... 4 2.1.3 Species Characteristics (Pandalus eous) ...... 5 2.1.4 Stock status, management & information (Pandalus eous) ...... 6 2.1.5 Species Characteristics (Pandalus hypsinotus) ...... 8 2.1.6 Stock status, management & information (Pandalus hypsinotus) ...... 9 2.2 Kita Rumoi Sea Urchin Fishery (UoAs 5 & 6) ...... 11 2.2.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme ...... 11 2.2.2 Fishery Characteristics ...... 11 2.2.3 Species Characteristics ...... 12 2.2.4 Stock status, management & information ...... 13 2.3 Kita Rumoi Japanese Flounder Fishery (UoAs 7 - 10) ...... 15 2.3.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme ...... 15 2.3.2 Fishery Characteristics ...... 15 2.3.3 Species Characteristics ...... 17 2.3.4 Stock status, management & information ...... 18 2.4 Kita Rumoi North Pacific Giant Octopus Fishery (UoA 11 – 13) ...... 20 2.4.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme ...... 20 2.4.2 Fishery Characteristics ...... 20 2.4.3 Species Characteristics ...... 21 2.4.4 Stock status, management & information ...... 22 2.5 Kita Rumoi Blue-fin Tuna Fishery (UoA 14) ...... 25 2.5.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme ...... 25 2.5.2 Fishery Characteristics ...... 25 2.5.3 Species Characteristics ...... 25

Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries i

2.5.4 Stock status, management & information ...... 26 3. Description of the Ecosystem & Management ...... 28 3.1 Ecosystem Background & Interactions (P2) ...... 28 3.1.1 Primary Species & Secondary Species ...... 28 3.1.2 Endangered, threatened or protected species ...... 40 3.1.3 Habitats ...... 41 3.1.4 Ecosystem ...... 42 3.2 Management system background (P3) ...... 43 4. Evaluation Procedure ...... 46 4.1 Assessment methodologies used ...... 46 4.1.1 Assessment Team Members ...... 46 4.1.2 Summary of site visits and meetings held during pre-assessment ...... 47 4.2 Methodological Considerations for subsequent full MSC assessment ...... 47 4.2.1 Stakeholders to be consulted during a full assessment ...... 47 4.2.2 Harmonisation with any over-lapping MSC Fisheries ...... 48 4.2.3 Applicability of the default assessment tree ...... 48 4.2.4 Expectations regarding use of the Risk-Based Framework (RBF) ...... 48 5. Traceability (issues relevant to Chain of Custody certification) ...... 49 5.1 Potential Risk Factors ...... 49 5.2 Chain of Custody / Landing Ports ...... 50 5.3 Parties eligible to use the fishery certificate...... 50 6. Summary of Pre-assessment Findings (All UoAs) ...... 51 6.1 Key to likely scoring levels ...... 51 6.2 Key Findings ...... 51 6.2.1 Principle 1 ...... 51 6.2.2 Principle 2 ...... 52 6.2.3 Principle 3 ...... 53 6.3 Summary of likely PI scoring levels ...... 54 7. Detailed Scoring Tables ...... 55 7.1 Principle 1...... 55 UoA 1 & 2: Deep water prawn ホッコクアカエビ (Pandalus eous) ...... 55 UoA 3 & 4: Pink prawn トヤマエビ（ボタンエビ）(Pandalus hypsinotus) ...... 56 UoA no. 6: Northern sea urchin キタムラサキウニ (Strongylocentrotus nudus) ...... 57 UoA 7, 8, 9 & 10: Japanese Flounder ヒラメ (Paralichthys olivaceus) ...... 59 UoA 11, 12 & 13: North Pacific giant octopus ミズダコ (Octopus (Enteroctopus) dofleini) .... 60 UoA 14: Bluefin tuna クロマグロ (Thunnus orientalis) ...... 61 7.2 Principle 2...... 62

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UoA 1 & 3: Prawn Pot Fishery ...... 62 UoA 2 & 4: Prawn Trawl Fishery ...... 64 UoA 5 & 6: Sea Urchin Hook Fishery ...... 66 UoA 7: Japanese Flounder Hera– biki (Trolling) ...... 68 UoA 8: Japanese Flounder Sokodate Set Net ...... 70 UoA 9: Japanese Flounder Gillnet ...... 72 UoA 10: Japanese Flounder Jigging ...... 74 UoA 11: Octopus Drift Barrel ...... 76 UoA 12: Octopus Box Trap ...... 78 UoA 13: Octopus Hook & Rope ...... 80 UoA 14: Blue fin Tuna Trolling ...... 82 7.3 Principle 3...... 84 UoA 1, 2, 3 & 4: Deep water prawn & pink prawn ...... 84 UoA 6: Northern Sea Urchin ...... 86 UoA 7, 8 & 9: Japanese Flounder ...... 88 UoA 11,12 & 13: North Pacific Giant Octopus ...... 90 UoA 14: Blue Fin Tuna ...... 92 Appendix 1 References ...... 94 Appendix 2 Enhanced Fishery Assessment ...... 96 Appendix 3: Table of species: Japanese / English / Latin Names ...... 98

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GLOSSARY ABC Acceptable Biological Catch BFT Bluefin Tuna CAB Conformity Assessment Body CAG Catch & Grow CL Carapace Length cm Centimetre CMM Conservation and Management Measure CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort CSN Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ETP Endangered, Threatened & Protected FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FCA Fisheries Cooperative Association FCR Fisheries Certification Requirements GPS Global Positioning System HAC Hatch & Catch Hp Horse Power HRO Hokkaido Research Organisation IATTC Inter-American-Tropical-Tuna-Commission IQ Individual Quota IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature IUU Illegal Unreported & Unregulated fishing JFA Japan Fisheries Agency Kg Kilogram LTL Low Trophic Level MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries MLS Minimum Landing Size mm millimetre MSC Marine Stewardship Council MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield NGO Non-Governmental Organisation PI Performance Indicator RBF Risk Based Framework RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organisation SG Scoring Guidepost SSB Spawning Stock Biomass t Tonne (metric) TAC Total Allowable catch TAE Total Allowable Effort

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TL Total Length UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law UoA Unit of Assessment UoC Unit of Certification VME Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem VPA Virtual Population Analysis WCPFC Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction • This report provides a provisional assessment of 14 fisheries (or ‘Units of Assessment’) from Kita Rumoi in the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard across its three principles: (i) target stock, (ii) ecosystem and (iii) management. • This work is part of the Japanese MSC Project Pre-Assessment. The project has also produced MSC pre-assessments of a smaller number of coastal fisheries in (i) Tsuhima Island (in the Nagasaki prefecture) and (ii) Yaku Island and Koshiki Island (in Kagoshima Prefecture). These are reported separately. • The project has been funded by of Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd (CSN) with support from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). CSN is a fish wholesaler based in Haneda Airport, Tokyo. • This pre-assessment has been undertaken by Acoura Ltd, a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB), based in the UK, which is accredited to assess and certify fisheries against the MSC standard. • The assessment team comprised four expert team members: Paul Medley (Principle 1: target stock) and Yoko Tamura, Jo Akroyd and Tristan Southall (shared responsibility for Principle 2: ecosystem and Principle 3: management). • The pre-assessment has been informed by a site visit to Hokkaido in December 2017 including meetings with fishery stakeholders including the regional government, scientists and fishermen’s association.

The MSC Process • The pre-assessment process involves a provisional evaluation against MSC Performance Indicators (PIs) to inform how the fishery fares against the MSC standard and whether each PI is likely to fall within the following categories: fail (i.e. score <60), pass with conditions (60-79) or pass without conditions (≥ 80). • The pre-assessment is based upon an expectation of how the fishery would score if it was subject to a full MSC assessment based on the information made available to the assessors. • An MSC assessment is not simply a snap-shot of the fishery’s current status, it also an assessment of management procedures and the quality of management information. As a result, low scores may be a reflection of gaps in these areas. So, where a fishery is currently predicted to ‘fail’ if it were subject to full MSC assessment, this does not necessarily mean that it is not sustainable. • The MSC is an audit approach, so part of the challenge of meeting the requisite standard is in providing the evidence base to provide a clear and objective basis to support higher scores. Without this evidence base more precautionary scoring is applied. • In many cases where low scores (either <60 or 60-79) are predicted in this pre-assessment exercise, these weakness or gaps can be addressed (and scores rapidly improved) with the provision of further data or implementing additional management steps. This should be done before the fishery enters a full MSC assessment.

Kita Rumoi Fishery Results • There are 14 Unit of Assessments which have been pre-assessed for Kita Rumoi. These are for 7 species (Deep water Prawn, Pink Prawn, Green Sea Urchin, Northern Sea Urchin, Japanese Flounder, North Pacific Giant Octopus and Blue-fin Tuna) using a variety of fishing methods. A table giving the UoA numbering which shows the target species and gear type combinations is provided at the end of the Executive Summary. Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries vi

• One of these of these species, Green Sea Urchin was concluded to be out of scope of the MSC standard as it is reliant of a Hatchery hatch and release scheme to help rebuild depleted populations. As a result, it is ineligible for MSC certification (see Appendix 2) so has not been subject to detailed scoring. • The Japanese scallop hanging culture fishery (Patinopecten yessoensis ホタテガイ) was originally identified as a fishery to be included in the pre-assessment. However, as there is an almost identical fishery, also in Hokkaido, which is already MSC certified and has recently undergone a rigorous full MSC re-assessment, another Hokkaido hanging culture scallop fishery would be expected to either seek to join the existing certificate, if the existing certificate holder is open to allowing other eligible fishers to join, or to undertake a new assessment which harmonises with the results of this assessment, with a similar outcome. As a result, another Hokkaido scallop hanging culture fishery would be expected to pass a full MSC assessment and because of this has not been subject to scoring scrutiny as part of this pre-assessment exercise. Details of these scores can be downloaded from the MSC website: https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/japanese- scallop-hanging-and-seabed-enhanced-fisheries/@@assessments • The evaluation of each PI for these 14 UoAs concluded that 3 of the UoAs would not be expected to have any scores of below the minimum 60 scoring guidepost and so look best placed to proceed with full MSC assessment in the near future. These are for deep water prawn (pot and trawl UoAs) and Japanese Flounder Hera-biki fishery. Of these both the deep-water prawn pot fishery and the Japanese Flounder Hera-biki fishery also score well elsewhere with relatively few ‘conditional’ scores identified (60-79). • However, even for the best placed fisheries it would be advisable to also address some of the identified areas of conditional scoring (60-79). • 10 of the 14 UoAs are currently predicted to have at least one PI which is below the minimum MSC pass mark of 60 and would therefore not be expected to be successfully MSC certified, if assessed currently on the basis of the evidence reviewed by the assessment team. This does not mean that these fisheries could not be MSC certified but it is an indication that some form of management action, data collection of remedial work may be required before the fishery could be successfully MSC certified. • In addition, across all UoAs, many PIs scored below the unconditional pass level (80) and therefore would require conditions for improvement. Where there is a high number conditional passes (scores from 60-79), it is likely that average score for the Principle would be below the requisite 80 pass mark which would also cause the fishery to fail were to enter the full MSC assessment process at this time. But in many cases these low scores could be addressed within a reasonable timeframe. • A summary of the scoring table is provided below:

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Summary of Kita Rumoi Pre-assessment scores

Unit of Assessment Principle 1 Principle 2 Principle 3

Stock status Stock rebuilding Harvest Strategy HCR & Tools &Info monitoring Assessment stockof status Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information & customaryLegal framework Consultation, roles & responsibilities termLong objectives Fisheryobjectives specific making Decision processes and enforcement Compliance evaluation performance Management

UoA UoA Number

1.1.2 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Species Gear 1.1.1 1 Deep water Prawn Pot 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 2 Trawl 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 3 Pink Prawn Pot 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 4 Trawl 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 5 Green Sea Urchin Hook Out of scope 6 Northern Sea Urchin Hook 60-79 NA 60-79 60-79 60-79 <60 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 7 Japanese Flounder Hera-biki 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 8 Sokodate 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 <60 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 9 Gillnet 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-100 <60 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 10 Jigging 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 <60 <60 80-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 11 North Pacific Giant Drift Barrel 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 12 Octopus Box Trap 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 13 Hook & Rope 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 <60 80-10080-100 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 14 Blue-fin Tuna Trolling <60 NA 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 <60 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79

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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Aims/scope of pre-assessment This pre-assessment report and evaluation provides a provisional assessment against the MSC standard of selected fisheries from the Kita Rumoi area of Hokkaido Island in Japan. This pre- assessment has been undertaken by four expert team members: Paul Medley (Principle 1: target stock and shared responsibility Principle 2: Bycatch) and Yoko Tamura, Jo Akroyd and Tristan Southall (shared responsibility for Principle 2: ecosystem and Principle 3: management). This assessment has been informed by a site visit involving meetings with the regional government, scientists and fishermen’s association, including vessel visits. The pre-assessment process involves a provisional evaluation against MSC Performance Indicators (PIs) and Scoring Guideposts (SGs), to inform how the fishery fares against the MSC standard and whether each PI is likely to fall within the following categories: • fail (i.e. score <60), • pass with conditions (60-79) • or pass without conditions (≥ 80). It should be noted that the pre-assessment does not attempt to duplicate a full assessment against the MSC standard, which requires precise scoring and defined public consultation phases. The overall aim of the project is to review the selected island fisheries against the MSC standard and, where required, support and encourage Japanese Island fisheries to improve their practice toward sustainability. The scope of the project is to look at fisheries across 3 areas: • 1. Sea of Japan, west coast of Hokkaido (Japan EEZ) • 2. Sea of Japan, northern coast of Tsuhima Island. • 3. East China Sea, coastal area around Yaku Island and Koshiki Island. This report covers the 1st of these 3 regions.

1.1.1 Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd (CSN) The pre-assessment has been undertaken as part of the Japanese MSC Project Pre-assessment. The project has been undertaken by Acoura Marine Ltd on behalf of Chihou Sousei Network Co.,Ltd (CSN) with support from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). CSN is a fish wholesaler based in Tokyo. The location of their fresh fish centre at Haneda market, in Haneda Airport means they are ideally placed to buy fresh fish from all over Japan and use air freight to rapidly transport top quality product to Haneda and rapidly sell it on to retail and restaurant customers all over Japan and overseas. A core belief of CSN is that the challenge of an ageing and declining population in rural areas can to some extent be addressed by seeking to support primary industries, such as fisheries, to provide reliable and attractive employment possibilities to prevent the outflow of young people from the area. They have noted a decline in fisheries in rural areas caused by a variety of factors such as an ageing workforce, a lack of new entrants into the industry, poor prices being achieved for catches and challenges of resource management. Their business model seeks to help address some of these challenges by buying product direct from rural producers, so enabling producers to achieve a higher price for their product, and retaining more of the economic benefit from the fishery in the local area.

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1.2 Constraints of the pre-assessment All key data sources were made available to allow appropriate assessment for this fishery and an appropriate level of stakeholder consultation was undertaken. However, one notable constraint on the project has been language expertise. There is currently a relatively small pool of MSC experts in Japan and relatively few international MSC experts with Japanese language ability. In order to overcome this Acoura sought to assemble a team which had brings together experts with international MSC expertise, including with relevant experience in multi-fishery project pre-assessments, with experts with both local knowledge and expertise and relevant MSC experience. In spite of this it is likely that there may still have been some errors in translation or understanding. In addition, it is likely that there may be some valuable reference material in Japanese, that our English language experts may have missed. A full assessment would be an opportunity to explore these more fully. However, we are confident that overall, this constraint does not undermine the key function of the pre- assessment – namely to give a prediction of likely MSC score if the fishery were to go through full assessment in its current form. As with all MSC pre-assessments it should be noted that the comparatively quick exercise still does not go into the level of detailed and rigorous scrutiny, which is undertaken as part of a full MSC assessment. For this reason, it cannot be guaranteed that the outcome of a full assessment process can be predicted with absolute accuracy. There may still be some unforeseen additional issues that arise once a fuller public consultation exercise is undertaken as part of any full assessment. 1.3 Unit(s) of Assessment The client (CSN Ltd) with support from MSC Japan have selected a number Units of Assessments (UoA) in each of the 3 regional areas, to be subject to pre-assessment. These have been selected, in discussion with the local fisheries cooperatives, generally on the basis of their higher food retail value, for example in sushi and sashimi. They have not been selected on the basis of any expectation about likelihood of passing MSC certification, indeed in some cases it was expected that the pre-assessment may indicate the need for a further project prior to entering into a full MSC assessment process. In Kita Rumoi, the pre-assessment focuses on what may be generally understood to be around 5 ‘fisheries’ for prawn, sea urchin, flounder, octopus and blue fin tuna. However, the MSC definition of a ‘fishery’ is tighter as this must define the precise extent of any future MSC assessment and resulting certification. The MSC Guidelines to Certifiers specify that the Unit of Assessment (UoA) is “The fishery or fish stock (biologically distinct unit) combined with the fishing method / gear and practice (= vessel(s) and / or individuals pursuing the fish of that stock)”. So, each combination of species and gear type represents a separate Unit of Assessment. There are therefore 14 Units of Assessment for the Kita Rumoi fisheries as defined in table 1.

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Table 1: Units of Assessment for Kita Rumoi pre-assessed fisheries.

Set Set net

barrel

Trap

Fixed

’ ’

(trolling)

Drift Box Hook &Rope

biki

-

Sokodate

Pot Trawl Hook Hera ‘ Gillnet Jigging Octopus Octopus Octopus Trolling Deep UoA1 UoA2 water (328t) (45t) prawn Pink UoA3 UoA4 prawn (252t) (19t) Green sea UoA5 urchin (4t) Northern UoA6 sea urchin (116t) Japanese UoA7 UoA8 UoA9 UoA10 Flounder (26t) (7t) (15t) (19t) North UoA11 UoA12 UoA13 Pacific (316t) (684t) (144t) Giant Octopus Blue-Fin UoA14 Tuna (3t)

All of the UoAs are within the Hokkaido Prefecture, Sea of Japan Fishery. All are members of the Kita Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative. 1.4 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Catch Data No TACs are set for any of the Units of Assessment in this fishery1. Annual landings figures have been included in Table 1 above (in parenthesis). It is expected that the Unit of Assessment will be defined at the level of the Kita Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative. The landing figures above therefore represent 100% of the landings of the UoA and the likely eventual Unit of Certification (i.e. it is anticipated that all eligible fishers would be included in the certificate and there would therefore be no other eligible fishers).

1 With the exception of blue fin tuna is currently tested under “experimental TAC” scheme Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 3

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERIES 2.1 Kita Rumoi Deep Water Prawn Fishery (UoAs 1 -4) The Kita Rumoi prawn fisheries target 2 species of prawn using a single hook gear type.

2.1.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme Both gear types (prawn pot and prawn trawl) and both species of deep water prawn are within Scope of the MSC certification scheme.

2.1.2 Fishery Characteristics

Prawn Pot fishery (UoA 1 & UoA 3) The majority of vessels and more than half of catches come from pots. The pots are circular and ‘ink- well’ shaped with a single opening on the top surface. The minimum mesh size is 1.7cm. The regulations stipulate a maximum pot height of 42 cm and diameter of 76cm. All kinds of crab bycatch are prohibited, and there is a prohibited area closed from August 16th to September 15th. The maximum number of pots is 2,000, which is made up of 5 lines of 400 pots. The lines are set on the seabed with anchors at either end of the line and surface market buoys. The maximum size of vessel in the pot fishery is 108t. Figure 2.1.1: Typical prawn pot gear

Images from the prawn pot fishery: a) a typical Kita Rumoi prawn pot vessel (photo T Southall); b) a typical pot used in the fishery (photo from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp Bait (herring or pollack – see P2 scoring for details of species) is placed in the centre of the pot. The Figure 2.1.2: Typical Hokkaido Prawn Trawl vessel crew typically leave port in the early morning and return late evening to land the days catch. In a typical day all of the gear is lifted, rebaited and reset. The live catch is chilled in refrigerated in seawater tanks. The fishing season is open from March to November.

Prawn Trawl (UoA 2 & UoA 4) Although a smaller number of vessels participate in the prawn trawl fishery, the contribution to

Source: Photo: T. Southall

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catches is significant. Restrictions are placed on the trawl fishery which limit vessel size to 15t Figure 2.1.3: Diagram showing life history of Pandalus eous. and set a maximum net length of 25m. Trawling is only permitted in depths of more than 15m, within the Japanese EEZ but not within the common license area. Fishery is prohibited at night, and all kinds of crab bycatch need to be released swiftly to ocean. The season fishing lasts from September 16th to May 31st.

2.1.3 Species Characteristics (Pandalus eous)

Deep water prawn / ホ ッ コ ク ア カ エ ビ (Pandalus eous) The Pacific northern shrimp Pandalus eous is widely distributed in the north Pacific Ocean, including the Sea of Japan, the Okhotsk and Bering Seas, and along the coasts of Alaska and Canada. The deep-water shrimp is caught off western Hokkaido using shrimp-pots and trawls operating throughout the year except February. Source: Yamaguchi et al. 2014 The species is strictly subtidal, and can be found mainly at depths 200-600m (16-1380m). Deep water shrimp is primarily found on soft bottom habitat, but may migrate upward at night. The diet of deep water shrimp is largely small crustaceans. Pandalids capture their prey by trapping it among their legs. Predators include dogfish, Pacific cod, hake, and turbot. Parasites include the isopod Bopyroides hippolytes and the rhizocephalan barnacle Sylon hippolytes. This species is a protandric hermaphrodite. Larvae hatch in March and April and remain pelagic for 6 instars before settling to the bottom. Become sexually mature at a carapace length of around 16mm, at which time there is about a 50/50 ratio of males to females. However, if there are few females present in the population, more males turn to females sooner. They breed in mid-November and females carry eggs through the winter (Figure 2.1.3). In their second spring, most males have turn into females. By the time they reach 20mm carapace length, the majority of shrimp have become female. Mature females are spawning for the first time at around 26mm length, and six years old. Thereafter they spawn every other year. Note that there may be some differences between populations, with Alaskan population reporting lower ages for maturity and sex ratios than Japan. Although the commercial catch has remained stable between 2000 and 3000 t over the past decade, fishermen have been facing financial difficulty with a decline in the price of shrimp, which is partly caused by decreases in the mean size of the commercial landings (Yamaguchi et al. 2014). Table 2.1.1: Species biological attributes for Pandalus eous Species biological attributes Species Pandalus eous Average age maturity 18 months Reproductive strategy Broadcast Average maximum age 11 years Length of larvae phase 2 months Fecundity (No of eggs) 1600-2100 eggs Movement of adults Low Average size at maturity 16mm carapace length Sediment type Soft Average maximum size 32mm carapace length Depth 200-600m Trophic level 3-4

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The very similar species, P. borealis is found in the North Atlantic from Maine to Scandinavia and around Greenland. Originally, the Pacific P. eous was considered only a sub-species, although more recently it has been proposed as a separate species, from a fisheries point of view the biology, ecology and management are likely to be the same. Currently ten P. borealis fisheries have been MSC certified.

Low Trophic Species Pandalus eous is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species. In this case, MSC criteria defines low trophic level species based on its life history and biology: 1) the species feeds predominantly on plankton; 2) has a trophic level of about 3 (but potentially ranging from 2 to 4); 3) is characterised by small body size, early maturity, high fecundity and short life span (default values: <30cm long as adults, mean age at maturity <= 2, >10,000 eggs/spawning, maximum age <10 years respectively); and 4) forms dense schools. Based on the information above on the species biological attributes, Pandalus eous has a small body size, matures early, and has a short life span, but has a lower fecundity. It is not a plankton feeder, and does not form dense schools. There is no evidence that it is a particularly important dominant prey species in the ecosystem, and the Atlantic close relative, P. borealis, has not been treated as key LTL in other MSC assessments. Therefore, the stock would most likely not be assessed as a key LTL.

2.1.4 Stock status, management & information (Pandalus eous)

Information and Stock assessment Information is collected on the catch and effort applied in the fishery. Information includes total landings, fleet information, number of pots deployed, days at sea and other operational information on vessel activities. Biological information on the life history, growth, age and movement of adults is well understood based on long term research and monitoring (Nakame 1991). There seems to be adequate information to determine a reasonable management unit, and the scientific research supports the management strategy. Landings are sampled to obtain length and sex compositions. Crustaceans lack any ageing characters such as otolith rings in fish, so estimation of catch-at-age is difficult. Growth and catch-at-age data of northern shrimp in the Sea of Japan, off western Hokkaido, have been estimated by identifying modal classes based on carapace length distributions in commercial landings. The methodology identifies annual length frequency modes to estimate cohort size without a strong dependence on a fixed growth model. Ageing is probably reasonably accurate, enabling the stock assessment to use a virtual population analysis (VPA) model, which relies on accurate catch-at-age data. Several indices of abundance are available for fitting the VPA model (Yamaguchi &Tanaka 2016). A recruitment index is available from a fishery independent trawl survey conducted since 2012. Pot surveys have been conducted since 1999-2011. Standardised CPUE is estimated from trawl and pot catch and effort data. The VPA model is a standard age structured model that fits fishing mortality at age to the catch at age data using the abundance indices. The catch-at-age catch estimates are obtained from the length frequency data using modal progression. The model estimates recruitment and SSB. Reference points depend upon the assumed stock recruitment relationship. Here the model forecast assumes either a “hockey-stick” shaped function, or a fixed linear relationship. Stock status is effectively evaluated assuming the former, but is based on average past stock size, and MSY reference points have not be presented or proposed. Some specific attributes of the population, which may be important in determining sustainable harvest, are not included in the population model. For example, there is no explicit modelling of sex transition or any catchability effects. Sex transition may change over time and is an important factor in determining an optimum size at first capture. The pot catch of ovigerous females is generally lower

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than that of non-ovigerous females, likely because of reduced activity in ovigerous females. Age specific catchability may adequately account for this, but it is not included explicitly in the model. The assessment has been produced as an official report from responsible research agency, which presumably operates internal review of released papers. There is no evidence of external review.

Stock status The stock has been determined to be at the medium level, within the target region (Figure 2.1.4), and is considered stable. This is based on an assumed “hockey stick” stock-recruitment relationship. The alternative assumed SR function, a linear relationship, would suggest the stock is overfished. In this case the forecast suggested that the stock might increase, indicating that the current exploitation rate would not prevent any recovery if this were the case. MSY based reference points have not been explicitly provided. Figure 2.1.4: Stock status showing relative SSB compared to upper and lower reference points.

Source: Yamaguchi & Tanaka (2016).

Harvest strategy & control rules After 2001, catches have mostly remained between 2500 and 3000t, but declined since 2010 and it was the second lowest in the past in the year at 1,677t. By region, most of the catch is taken in Rumoi and Kitashinashi. The catch value was more than 8 billion yen in 1985, but has decreased, and it has been around 2 billion yen in recent years. Fishing effort has declined since the 1990s. The number of vessels potting in the Governor's Permit fishery was 55 in 1989, but decreased significantly to 1998, and since 2000, has continued to decrease gradually due to the discontinuance of operations, reaching 28 vessels in 2015. In addition, the number of shrimp trawls was 16 in 1989, decreasing sharply in 1998 to 10 vessels. In 2014, there were 9 vessels. There is no TAC, but an effort limit is effectively applied through a limit on the number of pots operated by each licensed vessel. Up to 2,050 traps are operated a year by Governor Permit small Rumoi vessels. Large Rumoi vessels can operate 2000 or fewer traps from 1st March to 31st August and 2250 traps from 1st October to 31st January. Other Governor Permit small shrimp boats are limited to 2000 or fewer traps during all operating periods. From 16th August to 15th September, the west half of area 353 and area 354 off the coast are a closed for the protection of juveniles. The pot fishery is closed in February and trawl only operates December to March.

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In the Governor's Permit shrimp pot fishery, mesh size (nodule to nodule) is limited to 17mm or more. Use of smaller mesh size was a particular problem in 1994, but since then the situation has gradually improved as fishing gear has been replaced, so now fishers voluntarily limit themselves to a larger mesh.

2.1.5 Species Characteristics (Pandalus hypsinotus)

Pink prawn / トヤマエビ（ボタンエビ）(Pandalus hypsinotus) Pink prawn or shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotus), also known as coonstriped shrimp, is a cold-water shrimp found in the North Pacific from the Korea Strait, Japan and West Bering Sea to Kuril Islands, Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Pink shrimp is mainly found at depths of 80 to 100m, but has been reported from between 5m to 500m. Distribution characteristics by developmental stage and life cycle are unknown. Shrimp are thought to reach a maximum age of 6 years and carapace length of around 46mm. The maximum total length is around 21cm. Young shrimp one year old or less moult twice a year in winter and then summer, but this falls to once a year for shrimp 2 years or older. The species is a protandric hermaphrodite, and around 75% convert from male to female by the time they are 2 years old. Males tend to moult in the winter, while females and individuals in transition moult in the summer when they mate and incubate eggs during the summer months. The spawning season is from July to August, the incubation period is 6 to 7 months and the larval period is 2 to 3 months. The spawning grounds are unknown. Only partial recruitment of one-year olds occurs in the spring, while one-year olds are fully recruited by the autumn fishing season. Table 2.1.2: Species biological attributes for Pandalus hypsinotus Species Biological Attributes Species Pandalus hypsinotus Average age maturity 1 year (males) Reproductive strategy Broadcast Average maximum age 6 years Length of larvae phase 3 months Fecundity (No of eggs) Unknown, but likely <10000 Movement of adults Low Average size at maturity 24mm CL (~12cm TL) Sediment type Mainly soft bottom Average maximum size 20cm TL Depth 80-100m Trophic level 3-4

Key Low Trophic Level Species Pandalus hypsinotus is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species. In this case, MSC criteria defines low trophic level species based on its life history and biology: 1) the species feeds predominantly on plankton; 2) has a trophic level of about 3 (but potentially ranging from 2 to 4); 3) is characterised by small body size, early maturity, high fecundity and short life span (default values: <30cm long as adults, mean age at maturity <= 2, >10,000 eggs/spawning, maximum age <10 years respectively); and 4) forms dense schools. Based on the information above on the species biological attributes, Pandalus hypsinotus has a small body size, matures early, and a short life span according to MSC criteria. However, the species does not exhibit other key LTL characteristics. It does not occupy a key point in the ecosystem (“wasp- wasted”) linking higher and lower trophic levels, and biomass is not particularly high and there are other similar species in the ecosystem (e.g. P. eous has higher catch). Pandalus sp. are an important prey for a number of fish species however. While it is unlikely the species would be determined as a key LTL species, it would remain the responsibility of the fishery to present evidence to allow a clear determination. For the purposes of the pre-assessment, the stock is not assessed as a key LTL stock.

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2.1.6 Stock status, management & information (Pandalus hypsinotus)

Information and Stock assessment Biological information on the life history, growth, age and movement of adults is reasonably well understood, but background information appears less than for the larger P. eous stock. There seems to be adequate information to determine a reasonable management unit, and the available research supports the management strategy. Information is collected on the catch and effort applied in the fishery. Information includes total landings, fleet information, number of pots deployed, days at sea and other operational information on vessel activities. As for P. eous, landings are sampled to obtain length and sex compositions. Crustaceans lack any ageing characters such as otolith rings in fish, so estimation of catch-at-age is difficult. Ages are estimated from the length compositions, which for this species appears accurate not least because of the strong seasonal moulting. This allows the fishery to develop reasonably accurate catch-at-age estimates for this stock, conditional upon a discrete growth model. Ageing is sufficiently accurate for a virtual population analysis (VPA) model, which relies on catch-at-age data. Although catch and effort are recorded, they are not used to estimate abundance indices for fitting the stock assessment model. There is fishery independent survey data. The VPA model is a standard age structured model that fits fishing mortality at age to the catch at age data with an assumed terminal fishing mortality and half-year step between the spring and autumn fishery. The catch-at-age catch estimates are obtained from the length frequency data using Bayesian mixture procedure. The model estimates recruitment and SSB. Reference points depend upon the past average stock size and are not linked to MSY, but could be considered generic. Some specific attributes of the population, which may be important in determining sustainable harvest, are not included in the population model. For example, there is no explicit modelling of sex transition. Sex transition may change over time and is an important factor in determining an optimum size at first capture. The assessment has been produced as an official report from the responsible research agency, which presumably operates internal review of released papers. There is no evidence of external review.

Stock status The mean of the biomass in the spring season from 1994 to 2009 is used as the target reference point and this has been set to 100. It is the period where data were sufficient for the VPA stock assessment. No formal relationship between this target and MSY has been determined. The range 100 ± 40 of this standardized biomass was set to define the medium level, and the upper and lower ranges were set to the high level and the low level, respectively. On this scale, the stock in 2015 was 163, and therefore the resource level was judged to be high level (Figure 2.1.5). The stock is expected to decline slightly based on the long-term average, but with no stock recruit relationship, stock trends are unavailable.

Harvest strategy & control rules Management is applied to the Eruption Bay area (噴火湾). There is no well-defined harvest control rule, but the clear intention is to have a fixed harvest rate. The main controls on fishing activity are the number of licences issued and effort limits: • The number of shrimp pots fishing in the Eruption Bay area is limited to 500 per vessel by "policy on the handling of shrimp fishing in the offshore Pacific Ocean waters of Oshima and BM- subprefectures" in Hokkaido Fisheries & Forestry Department.

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• In 1997, the pot mesh was enlarged to more than gauge 10 (17mm mesh nodule to nodule lengths) from the previous gauge 12 (14mm mesh). • Since 1999, during the spring fishing (March-April), small (1-year-old shrimp) are prohibited and have been voluntarily released if caught in pots. • The fishery was closed from 1-10 November 2013, but since 2014, the implementation of the closed period has stopped. Despite the resource being at a high level, scientific advice is to reduce fishing effort from the current 500 pots per vessel in the fishery area as the exploitation rate is high and there is heavy dependence on recruitment. It is noticeable that in 2013 the stock would have been considered low and in need of rebuilding, and it is not apparent that any action was taken at that time. Figure 2.1.5: Stock status as biomass with target area defined as +/-40% (solid lines) of the mean biomass 1994-2009.

Source: Sawamura (2016).

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2.2 Kita Rumoi Sea Urchin Fishery (UoAs 5 & 6) The Kita Rumoi urchin fishery fisheries target 2 sea urchin species using a single gear type.

2.2.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme Both species of deep water sea urchin initially appear to be within scope of the MSC certification scheme because the fishery does not occur under a unilateral exception to international law and does not use a destructive fishing technique as defined by the MSC. However, further scope consideration must be given as both species are ‘enhanced’ meaning that coastal waters are periodically stocked with small juveniles produced in nearby hatcheries. The MSC does allow for some enhanced fisheries to be within scope of the certification scheme depending on certain criteria. A full explanation of these criteria is provided in Appendix 2, including a discussion of the Kita Rumoi fisheries against these criteria. This concludes that one of the species (the northern sea urchin - Strongylocentrotus nudus) is within scope of the MSC. By contrast the other species (the short spined sea urchin - Strongylocentrotus intermedius) is concluded to be outside the scope of the MSC certification. This is because the wild stock is depleted and the enhancement programme forms a key component of the rebuilding plan. Only the in-scope fishery is described below.

2.2.2 Fishery Characteristics The northern sea urchin fishery takes places over rocky seabeds / cobblestone in water depth from 1 – 12m. The fishery takes places from March to September. From a small open vessel (below 1t) with an outboard engine (maximum 25hp). Figure 2.2.1: Images of the Hokkaido Sea Urchin Fishery

Source: a) image of the gear used in the fishery (modified version of diagram from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in Hokkaido’, Fishery biological books) (Yoshida et al 2003); b) photo of a fishermen catching urchin (photo from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp ) The fishers use of bathyscope (underwater viewer) in order to be able to view the seabed over the gunwale of the vessel, without needing to enter the water or dive (diving is not permitted). The fishers then use a long pole (around 10m) in order to select and gather the urchin. Historically, as shown in the images above, there has been a small net on the end of the pole, but a 3-pronged claw attachment is now used. This is a highly selective form of fishing and there are no unintended or unwanted bycatch. The fishery occurs in the Sea of Japan and is notably important around Rebun Island, where landings of sea urchin accounts for around a third of the total fishery production, meaning it is vitally important to the coastal fishermen.

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2.2.3 Species Characteristics

Northern sea urchin/ The Northern sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus nudus) is a dominant sea-urchin species in the northwest Pacific and is found on intertidal and subtidal rocky sea bottoms, extending from Dalian, China northwards to Primorskyi Kray, Russia. In Japan it is found from Sagami Bay to Cape Erimo on Hokkaido and in the Sea of Japan from Omi Island in Yamaguchi to Soya Cape northern Hokkaido. The habitats of recruits and adults differ. They recruit onto coralline flats and migrate to kelp forests when one year old or greater. Somatic and gonadal growth is supported by brown macroalgae. The urchins generally reach the legal size (40 mm test diameter) in 2 to 4 years when feeding on perennial brown algae (Laminarians) whereas they may take 7 to 8 years on coralline flats. S. nudus can form extremely high population densities that can result in overgrazing. Landings in Japan are currently dominated by S. nudus. Historically, the urchin catch in Hokkaido was higher than current levels, but declined in the mid-1980s and then fell sharply between 1988 and 1991, mainly due to a decline in landings of S. intermedius but also to a lesser degree of S. nudus. At this time S. nudus replaced S. intermedius as the main landed catch. S. intermedius continues to be supported by hatchery release. The spawning season of S. nudus occurs during September–October throughout Hokkaido. The larvae of S. nudus appear during September and October, reaching a maximum density of hundreds to thousands of individuals per cubic metre. Maximum longevity is reported as 14 to 15 years. Sexual maturity is attained at 40 to 45 mm TD. Table 2.2.1: Species biological attributes for S. nudus Species biological attributes Species Strongylocentrotus nudus Average age maturity 3 years Reproductive strategy Broadcast Average maximum age 14 years Movement of adults Low Fecundity (No of eggs) Unknown Sediment type Reef Average size at maturity 45mm TD Depth 0-5m Average maximum size 70-80mm TD Trophic level 2-3

Source: Fishbase 2016

Key Low Trophic Level Species Northern sea urchin is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species. In this case, MSC criteria defines low trophic level species based on its life history and biology: 1) the species feeds predominantly on plankton; 2) has a trophic level of about 3 (but potentially ranging from 2 to 4); 3) is characterised by small body size, early maturity, high fecundity and short life span (default values: <30cm long as adults, mean age at maturity <= 2, >10,000 eggs/spawning, maximum age <10 years respectively); and 4) forms dense schools. Based on the information above on the species biological attributes, S. nudus has a small body size, matures early, and has a high fecundity and short life span according to MSC criteria. The species also occupies a very low trophic level as it feeds primarily on algae. However, the biomass of the species is relatively low in the ecosystem, and it is predated only by a few specialist predators. MSC key LTL, has the intent of identify key species dominantly a particular level in the ecosystem so as to be the main conduit of energy from the level below to the level above, such as Antarctic krill. So, while the species clearly has an important role in the ecosystem, and this role affects the way the fisheries are managed,

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it is not a key LTL in the MSC sense, and would therefore not likely be designated as key LTL and therefore is not assessed as a key LTL stock in this pre-assessment.

2.2.4 Stock status, management & information

Information and Stock assessment Landings are recorded, but it is not clear that any other data are routinely collected. Information is collected based around the complex management system of co-operatives and area-based rights fisheries. As a result, it does not appear that any model-based stock assessment has been conducted on these resources, so their status is unclear. S. nudus biology is very well understood and has been reseeded through hatchery release in the past. There has been considerable interest in aquaculture for this species, so there are many studies of feeding and growth, which show this is very dependent on conditions (food availability, temperature and other physical conditions; See Agatsuma, 2007).

Stock status There has been no formal stock assessment that we are aware of, and therefore state of the stocks is unknown. The fishery is managed through area-based rights and co-operatives. Presumably performance of the fisheries is evaluated within the system, but this would take the form of informal assessments and expert judgement. Fisheries have been maintained over a very long period and in that sense are demonstrably sustainable. However, catches dramatically decreased 1988-91 mainly due to a decline in S. intermedius, which before this made up the majority of landings. Interpretation of the current landings is difficult to determine, not least because of the complexity of the management interventions in these fisheries and their effects on abundance of the main urchin species.

Harvest strategy & control rules There are no formal harvest control rules that would reduce the exploitation rate based on stock status indicators. There are however a wide variety of controls that seek to limit overall harvest to sustainable levels, ensure a consistent supply of urchins and optimise the harvest of roe which is the valued urchin commodity. However, it is not always clear which controls have been applied to improve the value of the landings and avoid waste and which are applied to limit harvest for conservation purposes. The Fisheries Law cedes a property right to prescribed areas of sea bed to Fisheries Co-operative Associations (FCAs) which in turn distribute fishing rights to individuals, such as “territories”, daily catch limits, and the timing and duration of fishing trips. Fishing rights are not tradable, but can be inherited or transferred in other ways based on local customs and laws (Ruddle 1987). The Japanese government is involved in setting sea urchin fishery management policies for each ‘sea area’ and may include minimum size, closed areas and seasons and fishing method restrictions. The Japanese fishery has been managed this way for over 50 years. All urchin fisheries are closed during the spawning season when the roe quality is not considered good enough. The timing of these closures depends on the spawning patterns of individual species in the different Prefectures and is based on an extensive knowledge of these reproductive patterns (Figure 2.2.2). Fishery cooperatives have considerable controls in the management of sea urchin fisheries in Hokkaido, with each branch’s common-fishery management committee holding periodic decision- making meetings to establish the season’s specific fishery control rule, which are well organized and coordinated among other cooperatives. Government supports them with providing basic policy guidelines, subsidies for enhancement and infrastructure development. In Hokkaido, the prescribed minimum size (MLS) for S. nudus and S. intermedius have been increased from 40mm and 50mm, Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 13

respectively, in 49% and 25% of FCAs, and about one half of the FCAs impose a daily catch limit on members for harvesting S. intermedius and 44% limit the daily harvest of S. nudus (Andrew et al. 2002). Most FCAs but not all restrict fishing to 2–5 h day−1. TACs are imposed by less than 10% of FCAs. Because the FCAs manage all fishery resources within their sea area, management of sea urchins is integrated with that of other resources, such as seaweeds and abalone, and FCAs will often intervene to “manage” ecological relationships (e.g. crabs and sea stars may be removed from reefs in some FCAs). Figure 2.2.2 Fishing seasons (dark bars) and season closures for sea urchin fishing in Hokkaido

Source: Andrew et al. 2002 Despite these declines in landings, no formal assessments of the status of stocks in any region or prefecture have been reported in the scientific literature and there no evidence has been provided of additional catch or effort restrictions in the face of declining catches. Enhancement is one of the most important management tools used to conserve and rebuild Japanese sea urchin fisheries. The management system arguably applies an ecosystem approach. Sea urchin fisheries are managed as part of a suite of fisheries and habitat manipulation is used extensively to increase production. For example, there is seeding, transplantation into kelp beds to enhance urchin growth, habitat enhancement (artificial reefs) and predator removal (predatory starfish). At the same time, it is recognised that uncontrolled urchin populations can be devastating to algae, sessile animals and benthic habitat, which is an argument to maintain urchins at medium densities.

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2.3 Kita Rumoi Japanese Flounder Fishery (UoAs 7 - 10) The Kita Rumoi Japanese Flounder fishery targets a single species of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) using 4 different fishing methods: • a type of trolling known as ‘Hera-biki’ (UoA 7); • a fixed set net known as ‘Sokodate’ (UoA 8); • gillnet (UoA 9); • and jigging (UoA 10).

2.3.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme The Japanese Flounder Fishery is within scope of the MSC certification scheme because the fishery does not occur under a unilateral exception to international law and does not use a destructive fishing technique as defined by the MSC. However, further scope consideration must be given as Japanese Flounder is ‘enhanced’ meaning that coastal waters are periodically stocked with small juveniles produced in nearby hatcheries. The MSC does allow for some enhanced fisheries to be within scope of the certification scheme depending on certain criteria. A full explanation of these criteria is provided in Appendix 2, including a discussion of the Kita Rumoi fisheries against these criteria. This concludes that Japanese Flounder is within scope of the MSC.

2.3.2 Fishery Characteristics

Hera-biki Trolling (UoA 7) Japanese Flounder Fishery can be caught by a form of trolling known as ‘Hera-biki’. This fishery tows an unbaited artificial lure on a handline, whist the vessel is steaming at a speed of 2-3 knots. A paravane (sometimes known as a trolling board) is rigged into the line to cause the line and the lure to dive to an appropriate depth. Differing paravanes can be selected to alter the depth of the lure and fishermen will also select different lures according to preference and experience. Figure 2.3.1: Images of the Hokkaido Japanese Flounder Hera Biki gear.

Source: a) Images from the Japanese Flounder Fishery: a) a typical lure used in the ‘Hera-biki’ fishery b) photo of the spatula vane which causes the line to sink ( both photos from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp ); c) diagram of the Hera-biki gear in action from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in Hokkaido’, Fishery biological books) (Yoshida et al 2003). The fishery is operated from a small coastal vessel (approx. 2 – 4 tonnes) operated by a single fisher. The hooked flounder is captured alive and stored in seawater tanks below the vessel decks in order to supply the live market. The fishery operates has a summer closed season from July 16th to August 16th.

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‘Sokodate’ Fixed Net (UoA 8) Figure 2.3.2: Line drawings of 2 possible configurations The Sokodate fixed net is set over sand or gravel of the ‘Sokodate set’ net for Japanese Flounder sediments in water depths of around 40m. The set net comprises a series of fences which funnel the fish into a final non-return chamber. The fish are harvested daily from a support vessel, which typically operates with a crew of 3 to 4 people. The crew typically depart at sunrise and the harvesting operation takes around 3 hours. The net of the final chamber is lifted, which crowds the fish and enables them to be transferred live into the seawater tanks of the support vessel. A catch is therefore transported live to the market.

Gillnet (UoA 9) The gillnet fishery is operated from under 20 tonne2 inshore vessels. The upper limit of vessel numbers is set by the Cooperative (10 – 50 vessels). The use of Trammel net is prohibited and bycatch limits are in place for certain species Source: top) image from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in (crab, chum salmon, Korean flounder etc.) which Hokkaido’, (Yoshida et al 2003); bottom) line image may require fishers to move grounds. In Hokkaido from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery minimum catch size of 35cm is established for all Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp flounder fisheries. The gillnets are typically set over sandy seabeds in a water depth between 60 to 90 meters and length need to be less than 8,484m. The net is set during the hours of darkness, with marker buoys at either end. The net is hauled (using a hydraulic hauler) just before dawn. Fish which has been gilled is immediately sorted and those suitable for the live market is stored in seawater tanks on deck.

Jigging (UoA 10) The final method of capture for Japanese flounder is a type of jigging. This is typically carried out from a small coastal vessel (below 10t), using one or more jigging lines which are rigged with a number of baited lures, and weighted by the lead weight, which is rigged to move up and down with the motion of the boat in the water and cause the lures in-turn to move, replicating the action of prey fish. The weight is also covered in reflective material to provide a further attraction. This fishery takes place in daylight hours and as with the other flounder fisheries, where possible fish is caught for the live market.

2 Although this depends on the cooperative branch (some 15t or 10t). Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 16

Figure 2.3.3: Images of the Japanese Flounder Jigging Fishery

Source: a (left)) diagram of the jigging gear in action from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in Hokkaido’, Fishery biological books) (Yoshida et al 2003); b) photo of a weighted lure (photo T. Southall); fishermen demonstrates to the assessment team the bobbing action of the towed weighted lure (photo T. Southall).

2.3.3 Species Characteristics Japanese flounder (also known as bastard halibut), Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846), is a demersal flatfish, which lives mainly on sandy bottoms to around 150m depth. It mainly feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, worms as well as small fishes. The species is found in the western Pacific around Japan, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Korean peninsula and the South China Sea (Figure 2.3.4). The main catches are taken around Japan and the Korean peninsula.

Key Low Trophic Species Japanese flounder is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species. In this case, MSC criteria defines low trophic level species based on its life history and biology: 1) the species feeds predominantly on plankton; 2) has a trophic level of about 3 (but potentially ranging from 2 to 4); 3) is characterised by small body size, early maturity, high fecundity and short life span (default values: <30cm long as adults, mean age at maturity <= 2, >10,000 eggs/spawning, maximum age <10 years respectively); and 4) forms dense schools. Japanese flounder does not these criteria or exhibit any attribute typical of a low trophic species (Table 2.3.1). Therefore, the stock should not be assessed as a key LTL stock. Table 2.3.1: Species biological attributes for Paralichthys olivaceus Species biological attributes Species Paralichthys olivaceus Average age maturity 3 years Reproductive strategy Broadcast spawner Average maximum age 10 years (M estimate) Length of larvae phase 30 days Fecundity (No of eggs) 10-36 million Movement of adults Low Average size at maturity 40cm Sediment type Sand Average maximum size 103cm Depth 10-200m Trophic level 3.7

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2.3.4 Stock status, management & information Figure 2.3.5:Figure Relative 2.3.4: Global stock distribution size to average of Paralichthys 1997-2010 olivaceus stock size (=100). High and low references levels are indicated for each fishing season (August-July) based on +/-40% of the average 1997-2010 level Stock Status (grey bars). The stock status was evaluated against the average biomass 1997-2010 (set as 100). The stock size in the range of ± 40% of this reference point is defined as “medium level”, with relative stock sizes above and below this range as high and low levels. The level index value for 2014 was 110, which was judged to be “medium level”.

Harvest strategy & control rules Source: http://www.aquamaps.org Since 1995, based on the resource management agreement for the protection of adult fish, the landing of fish of less than 35cm total length is Source: CFES 2016 restricted, and other measures may be taken to reduce total catches. No other explicit controls are applied, although clearly capacity and hence fishing effort is limited, but not measured. A TAC is not applied, but Japan has the capacity to apply such a control as on other fisheries. Otherwise, current management intervention consists of hatchery release of juveniles. The population is supported by release from a hatchery (CFES 2016). Hatchery release has been conducted since 1996. Hatchery fish are released at approximately 8cm total length. They are produced at the Hokkaido Culture and Fishery Promotion Corporation and are released from the Soya duct to the inside of the Oshima Island. A total of 2.2 million fish have been discharged annually. In full assessment, it may be also necessary to show that the actual stocking density does not adversely affect wild population recruitment (Yamashita and Kurita 2007). Based on the MSY harvest strategy (2015), for resources which include large scale hatchery release, the policy states that “efforts are made to evaluate resources including released fish and natural fish, and management criteria are set according to resources not released”. This implies that the harvest rule is based on the wild stock and hatchery release is used to reduce risks to the stock rather than necessarily boost catches in the short term.

Information and Stock assessment Genetic work has yielded some information on possible stock structure as well as adult migration patterns (Nakayama et al. 2006, Fujii 2006). Although catches of this species are taken elsewhere, notably around the Korean peninsula, it seems likely that Japanese fisheries can be managed as one or more stock units. Japan also possess good information of physical and biological oceanographic effects which are closely monitored. The catches are sampled for age and length, and total catches are clearly monitored with high accuracy. What is used as an abundance index is unclear. Data are sufficient to provide to abundance information – for example the proportion of hatchery fish in the catches with total catches provides some indication of total abundance. However, what is used in the stock assessment to tune the VPA is unclear.

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The stock assessment uses virtual population analysis model to estimate stock size. This uses catch- at-age estimates to reconstruct past age structure and recruitment. This is a standard, well-used and internationally accepted technique for assessing stocks with the types of data available in this case. The stock status was evaluated against the average biomass 1997-2010, which is set as 100. The stock size in the range of ± 40 of this reference point is defined as “medium level”, with relative stock sizes above and below this range as high and low levels. The level index value for 2014 was 110, which was judged to be medium level. This indicates that the target biomass is set as the average biomass 1997- 2010 and a trigger point was at 60% of this level. Assuming the average 1997-2010 biomass is a reasonable proxy for MSY, these reference points would be consistent with MSC criteria. No information has been provided to justify the target reference point and its relationship to MSY. However, considerable biological information on the stock does exist primarily through the hatchery restocking programme. Indirectly information from the hatchery release monitoring data, the maximum recruitment and therefore carrying capacity can be estimated. This information perhaps can be used to more carefully justify current reference points in relation to MSY. Based on the information provided, it seems likely target biomass and fishing levels are close to and consistent with MSY requirements.

Fishery Enhancement Japanese flounder is currently supported by hatchery release of juveniles. From 1996 to 2014 (January to December), the proportion of hatchery fish in the catch is estimated to be between 1.3 to 14.0% in the northern sea area and 4.5 to 12.1% in the southern waters (Kengo Ishino 2016). For the purposes of MSC certification, it necessary to evaluate whether the fishery is within scope as an enhanced fishery. This exercise has been undertaken as part of this pre-assessment (contained in Appendix 2 of this report) and has concluded that Japanese Flounder is ‘in scope’ for MSC purposes.

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2.4 Kita Rumoi North Pacific Giant Octopus Fishery (UoA 11 – 13) The Kita Rumoi fishery for North Pacific Giant Octopus uses 3 gear-types; a floating drift basket; a box trap and Hook and Rope.

2.4.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme The octopus fishery, using all 3 gear types is within scope of the MSC assessment. There is no hatchery stage for this fishery, so the enhanced fishery policy does not need to be considered. Although some research is underway in relation to hatchery production this has not been rolled out on a commercial scale.

2.4.2 Fishery Characteristics

Octopus Drift Barrel (UoA 11) This fishery is operated by vessels typically below 5 tonnes. The fishery takes place from April to December over a rocky reef habitat preferred by the octopus in water depths between 20 to 50 m. The gear configuration consists of a baited lure which is suspended below an inverted plastic basket. The bait varies depending on the preference of the fisher but will typically consist some fish, but may also include animal fat or vegetables. The fishery uses the tidal flow to allow the bait to drag just above the seabed. The behavioural characteristics of the octopus mean that it will attach itself to the bait. The fishers can see from the movement of the basket at the surface whether there is an octopus attached to the bait. When an octopus is holding on to the bait the fisher returns to the line and hauls it. Once at the surface the octopus is lifted aboard the vessel using a hooked pole. Figure 2.4.1: Images of the Octopus Drift Barrel Fishery

Source: a) image of the gear used in the fishery (diagram from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in Hokkaido’, Fishery biological books) (Yoshida et al 2003); b & c) photo of a the baited lure and fishermen hauling the Octopus Barrel Gear (photo from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp)

Octopus Box Trap (UoA 12) This fishery is operated from vessels below 10 tonnes operating in water depths of 10 to 40m. This traditional fishing method uses boxes placed on the seabed which take advantage of the octopus natural tendency to seek shade and shelter. Because of this natural tendency there is no requirement for bait in this fishery. Up to 40 boxes will be connected in a line, at roughly 10m intervals, with a riser to a marker buoy at either end of the line. The rectangular boxes are typically made out of 10mm plywood, with an aperture of 19cm and external dimensions of approximately 50 x 19 x 15cm. The minimum landing size is 3kg. The octopus is typically processed in Haboro for markets all across Japan.

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Figure 2.4.2: Images of the Octopus Box Trap Fishery

Source: a) line drawing of Octopus boxes, ground rope, anchors & marker buoys b) annotated photo showing typical box sizes (images adapted from Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp); c) further diagram showing gear configuration adapted from from ‘Fisheries & Aquatic Life in Hokkaido’, (Yoshida et al 2003).

Hook & Rope (UoA 13) This traditional fishing technique takes place in the colder winter months, between early December and mid-May. The fishery typically occurs in water depth between 50-300 meters over sand and rock seabed sediments. The fishery is undertaken by a crew of 3 to 4 people working from a small fishing boats (less than 10t). A long line of unbaited square stainless-steel hooks is suspended just above the seabed. The position of the line is maintained by anchors at either end and at intervals. The height of the hooks in the water column is maintained by a float. The overall line may be 1.8km long, which comprises 50 separately rigged suspended lines carrying 100 hooks each. The lines are laid perpendicular to the coastline. The lines are hauled and catches removed every 15 to 20 days. The crew will typically rotate between 3 or 4 fishing areas. Figure 2.4.3: Line diagram of the Octopus Hook & Rope 2.4.3 Species Characteristics Fishery The North Pacific giant octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini: synonym Octopus dofleini used here for consistency) is distributed throughout the North Pacific coastal zone, including USA, Canada, Russia, northern Japan, and Korea (Figure 2.4.4). It can be found from the intertidal zone down to 2,000m, and is best adapted to cold, oxygen-rich water. It is most likely the largest octopus species. In Japan, it is fished on the continental shelf less than 200 meters deep and is particularly common in reef areas. It moves seasonally into deeper water.

Giant octopus mature at 3 years old, when Source: Hokkaido Research Organisation, Fishery females usually weigh above 7kg and males Research Department Fishery factsheets www.hro.or.jp above 10kg, with the largest individuals have been measured at 50kg and can have an arm Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 21

span of 6m. Growth is dependent on the environment. In Japan, they grow rapidly from 40g Figure 2.4.4: Global distribution of Octopus dofleini at one year old to 4-12kg at 4 years old. Giant octopus preys upon shrimp, crabs, scallop, abalone, clams, lobsters, fish and small sharks. Scavengers and other organisms will eat octopus eggs, even when the female is present to protect them. Giant Pacific octopus larvae are preyed upon by many other zooplankton and filter feeders. Marine mammals, such as harbour seals, sea otters, and sperm whales and sharks prey upon the giant Pacific octopus. The giant Pacific octopus may live typically 3–5 years Source: By Kat O'Brien - CC BY-SA 4.0, in the wild. Giant Pacific octopuses reproduce only https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curi once (semelparous). They can lay between 20,000 d=58099077 and 100,000 eggs which are intensively cared for by the females. The female stops eating during incubation and dies soon after the eggs hatch. Males similarly die after reproduction. Eggs hatch in about 6 months and then grow rapidly at around 0.9% a day from a few grams until they reach full size. There is no clear limit on growth except their lifespan. In Japan the spawning season is June to July, while the peak mating season is October to December of the previous year. The main spawning ground has been identified recorded around the Shiretoko Peninsula coast at between 7m and 43m. However, eggs laid on fishing gears at depths of 35-73m has been recorded. Most octopus are caught before spawning. Table 2.4.1: Species biological attributes for North Pacific giant octopus (https://www.arkive.org/north-pacific-giant- octopus/enteroctopus-dofleini/ ; Sano 2016) Species biological attributes Species Octopus dofleini Average age maturity 4 years Reproductive strategy Demersal egg-layer Average maximum age 5 years Length of larvae phase 2 months Fecundity (No of eggs) 20,000-100,000 Movement of adults Low Average size at maturity 4m arm span Sediment type Prefers reef dens Average maximum size 4m arm span Depth 0-1500m Trophic level 4 (high)

Key Low Trophic Level Species North Pacific giant octopus is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species. It is a large predator and based on its diet would likely not meet any key LTL criteria.

2.4.4 Stock status, management & information

Information and Stock assessment Although the assessment covers the whole area giant octopus are caught, that is the entire coast of Hokkaido, the status of resources is split into sub-areas (Figure 2.4.5) based around the distribution of fishing activity, catch of each district and the similarity of aging. There are 11 such assessment areas (Figure 2.4.5) which have abundance indicators, two using CPUE, eight based on catch only and one with both. A separate assessment was conducted for each of the areas, and the whole area of Hokkaido was assessed based on overall results of these assessments. In addition, those sea areas not included in this assessment area that have small catches, were combined and treated as “others”.

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While it is likely that areas are connected through larval stage recruitment, adults are not thought to migrate along the coast much. There is some evidence of periodicity in stock size indicators possibly related to the semelparous nature of spawning. The catch of each area has been recorded 1985-2014 in the fishery output reports, and in 2015 the annual catch was using the available sampling data. The amount of effort in each area was calculated by aggregating the number of fishers having governor-approved fishery rights, and those with joint fishing rights based on the report on fishery industry issued by each Fishery Promotion Bureau each year. As far as we are aware, no other data are collected routinely. Figure 2.4.5: Status indicators for the 11 giant octopus assessment units.

Source: Sano 2016 The amount and type of data varies between these areas. Detailed fishery information has been collected for the Soya Strait from the ancient times. Because the Soya Fishery Cooperatives account for more than half of the catch in this area, CPUE (catch per vessel: kg / vessel per day), which is the main fishing method of this fishermen's cooperative, was used as an indicator. For the northern part

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of Japan Sea, coastal trap fishery tends to catch smaller octopus compared to the offshore rope fishery, so the coastal CPUE / catch is probably tracking juvenile abundance and the offshore fishery the mature adult abundance. These differences imply the data for different regions need to be handled differently. There is no model based stock assessment. It is not clear whether the generic reference points, based on historical mean values, can be linked to MSY or a PRI.

Stock status Resource level is medium level in 8 waters out of 11 waters, and in these waters it has been in the medium range for a long time, so the Hokkaido stock as a whole is generally considered sustainably exploited. Although overall Hokkaido was considered at the medium level, three areas in the south appear to be depleted (Figure 2.4.5). However, this is likely due to the reduction in effort. In a few areas, the abundance indices suggest some periodicity but little overall trend. For many areas it is not possible to determine any trend in stock size. The fishing effort is thought to be stable or declining in most areas.

Harvest strategy & control rules In most of Hokkaido's waters, there is a minimum size limit varying from 2.0kg to 3.0kg, depending on the location. However, some areas apply no catch restrictions. In addition, there are some closed periods set by fishing method and sea area. The fishing pressure is considered flat or decreasing, and it is not thought that fishing effort will increase in the medium term. There is therefore no scientific advice advocating further control. The management objective appears to maintain the current exploitation rate by limiting fishing capacity. The current exploitation rate is thought to sustainable overall.

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2.5 Kita Rumoi Blue-fin Tuna Fishery (UoA 14)

2.5.1 Scope of the fisheries in relation to the MSC programme The Kita Rumoi fishery for Blue-fin tuna uses a single gear-types; trolling. This fishery (both the target species and the capture method) is within scope of the MSC assessment. There is no hatchery stage for this fishery, so the enhanced fishery policy does not need to be considered.

2.5.2 Fishery Characteristics

Tuna Trolling (UoA 14) Trolling for tuna involves towing a number of lines behind the vessel whist underway (at speeds from 2-10 knots). These are rigged from outriggers which fold outboard from a vertical position. Lines end with barbless hooks with lures to attract the fish. There is great variety in the lures which are used, according to preference. Trolling targets tuna in the upper mid-water depths. This type of fishery is well suited to catching high value pelagic fish, such as tuna, as the catch quality is very high. Figure 2.5.1: Line drawings showing a typical configuration of the trolling fishing gear and an example of lures used in the fishery.

Source: top left: FAO (2003); Bottom left & right: Tokyo Fisheries Examination centre (1960).

2.5.3 Species Characteristics

Bluefin tuna クロマグロ (Thunnus orientalis) Bluefin tuna in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans were once considered sub-species, but Pacific bluefin tuna is now considered separate species (Thunnus orientalis). Aggregate spawning areas, genetics and tagging information suggest that all North Pacific tuna comprise a single stock. Bluefin are mainly distributed in sub-tropical and temperate latitudes between 20oN and 50°N, but are occasionally found in tropical waters and in the southern hemisphere. Ages 0-1 fish tend to migrate north along the Japanese and Korean coasts in the summer and south in the winter. It has been noted that, depending on ocean conditions, an unknown portion of immature ages 1-3 fish in the western Pacific make a seasonal clockwise eastward migration across the North Pacific Ocean, spending several years as juveniles moving around the eastern Pacific before returning. Otherwise, and in general, the species is highly migratory and exhibits extensive movement throughout the North Pacific. Bluefin tuna caught in Japanese waters forms part of this larger stock. Bluefin generally spawn from April to July in the waters around the Ryukyu Islands and off eastern Chinese Taipei, and from July to August in the Sea of Japan. Fish are mature by they are 5 years old. A seasonal growth model fitted to length and age data is used in the stock assessment. Fish grow very rapidly to age 5 years (approximately 160 cm fork length), after which slows down. At age 12, the fish reaches 226 cm fork length, corresponding to 90% of the maximum length of this species. Fish larger

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than 250 cm fork length are primarily older than age 20, indicating that the potential lifespan of this species is at least 20 years. Fish larger than 300 cm fork length are rarely found in commercial catches. Bluefin tuna are primarily piscivores, with a trophic level 4.0-4.5. They are also known to eat cephalopods (squid is often used as bait) and crustacea. Natural mortality is likely to be age-specific: high at a young age, decreasing as fish grow, and constant afterwards. Age-specific natural mortality estimates are based on results obtained from conventional tagging studies and other bluefin tuna species. Table 2.5.1: Species biological attributes for Thunnus orientalis Species biological attributes Species Thunnus orientalis Average age maturity 5 years Reproductive strategy Broadcast Average maximum age 15 years Movement of adults Highly migratory Fecundity (No of eggs) 10 million Sediment type Pelagic Average size at maturity 160cm FL Depth 1-200m Average maximum size 300cm FL Trophic level 4.0-4.5

Key Low Trophic Level Species Bluefin tuna is not identified by default in the MSC criteria as a low trophic level (LTL) species, and is a top predator in the pelagic ecosystem. According to MSC criteria, it will not be identified as a key LTL species.

2.5.4 Stock status, management & information

Information and Stock assessment Fishery independent abundance indices are unavailable for tuna. Annual estimates of standardized CPUE from the Japanese distant water, off-shore and coastal longline, the Taiwanese longline and the Japanese troll fleets were used as measures of the relative abundance of the population. In 2016, the Stock Synthesis (v3.24f) assessment model was fitted using a likelihood statistical framework to the fitted to catch, size-composition and catch-per-unit of effort (CPUE) data from 1952 to 2015, provided by Members of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC), Pacific Bluefin Tuna Working Group (PBFWG) and non-ISC countries (ISC 2016). Life history parameters included a length-at-age relationship from otolith- derived ages, and natural mortality estimates from a tag-recapture study and empirical-life history methods. The maximum likelihood estimates of Figure 2.5.2: Global Distribution of Thunnus orientalis model parameters, derived outputs and their variances were used to characterize stock status and to develop stock projections. Stock synthesis is a widely recognised well-tested stock assessment software used for a number of tuna and other fisheries. All stock assessments are reviewed (internally) through a working group system. The previous 2014 stock assessment was externally reviewed (Carruthers 2013). The stock assessment does not Source: Fishbase 2017 explicitly estimate a MSY reference point. Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 26

Stock status Figure 2.5.3: Kobe plot of default stock status (x-axis) No limit reference points have been established and exploitation rate (y-axis): The blue and white by the responsible RFMOs (WCPFC and IATTC) for points on the plot show the start (1952) and end (2014) the Pacific bluefin stock. For the latest 2016 stock year of the period modelled in the stock assessment, respectively. assessment, the F2011-2013 exceeds biological reference points in recent years, indicating that the stock has been overexploited in recent years. The ratio of SSB in 2014 relative to the theoretical unfished SSB (SSB2014/SSBF=0, the depletion ratio) is 2.6%. Although this is slightly higher that the 2012 SSB estimate (SSB2012/SSBF=0 = 2.1%) suggesting the stock may be increasing, the stock size is well below likely limit reference points and well below the default precautionary MSC point of recruitment impairment (SSB/SSBF=0 = 20%), which is based on international standards (see Figure 2.5.3). Stocks below the PRI point are not eligible for MSC certification based on their status.

Population declined to low levels after WWII, and Source: ISC 2016. has been in depleted state effectively throughout the recent period (Figure 2.5.3). This is the result of high reported catches from before 1952, but there is no corroborating information for this. Apart from a long decline in population size, the population has been impacted by an increased take of small bluefin by purse seine vessels.

Harvest strategy & control rules Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) has a single Pacific-wide stock managed by both the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). Although found throughout the North Pacific Ocean, spawning grounds are recognized only in the western North Pacific Ocean. A portion of each cohort makes trans-Pacific migrations from the west to the eastern North Pacific Ocean, spending up to several years of its juvenile life stage in the Eastern Pacific Ocean before returning to the Western Pacific Ocean. To lower the probability of SSB falling further below its historical lowest levels, the scientific advice is to substantially reduce fishing mortality and catches for the whole range of juvenile ages. Conservation and management measures have been proposed and implemented by the WCPFC and IATTC to rebuild the stock. Rebuilding has not been helped by low recent recruitment. In the Western and Central Pacific, the WCPFC has currently adopted Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2014-04 for Pacific Bluefin Tuna. The CMM includes provisions for developing a well- defined HCR to promote rebuilding and specifically instructs parties to limit fishing effort to 2002-4 levels and reduce juvenile catch (<30kg) to 50% of the 2002-4 levels. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), the IATTC has adopted Resolution C-13-02 for the conservation and management of Pacific Bluefin Tuna. In general, the resolution states that the total annual commercial catch in 2014 shall not exceed 5,000 metric tons and notwithstanding the 5,000 metric ton catch limit, countries with historical EPO catches of Bluefin Tuna may in addition catch up to 500 metric tons of commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna catch. Also, Resolution C-16-03 seeks co-ordinate with the WCPFC rebuilding programme. The resolution recognises that the vast majority of the catch is taken in the WPO, which therefore takes most responsibility for rebuilding. Although SSB has increased slightly from 2014, the current rebuilding plan has not yet been clearly shown to be working.

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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ECOSYSTEM & MANAGEMENT 3.1 Ecosystem Background & Interactions (P2)

3.1.1 Primary Species & Secondary Species Scoring of bycatch (non-target species) is done on the basis of species as ‘elements’. Each species is assessed against the relevant scoring guidepost, and the number of species meeting the different guideposts determines the score. All elements must meet SG60 or SG80 to avoid failing or receiving a condition respectively. Species are split into primary and secondary groups, which determine which scoring guidepost is applied. The MSC Fishery Certification Requirements (FCR) v2 defines primary species within Principle 2 as those that have management measures and tools in place intended to achieve stock management objectives reflected in either limit or target reference points (FCRv2 SA3.1.3). If management limit or reference points are not in place then the species is classified as a secondary species (regardless of whether it is retained or discarded). Secondary species include all ‘out-of-scope’ species (birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles) which are not ETP. A full assessment is likely to use primary/secondary species designation used here, but this may change dependent on the information available at the time. All species designated here as primary have some sort of stock assessment relative to reference points (see Table 3.1). Stock assessments and total allowable catches (TAC) are set for 7 stocks (or stock groups), of which chub mackerel, sardine, and Alaskan pollock are caught as bycatch in some of the fisheries under assessment. Stock assessments are carried out for other stocks, but their harvest is not controlled by setting TACs. Some species are assessed separately among several stocks. It is not necessarily clear which stock the catches in the assessed fishery belong, and this would need to be determined in full assessment. Currently, of the stocks considered under Principle 1, the Northern sea urchin does not have a stock assessment or reference points and would therefore have to be considered as secondary species when caught by other UoAs. Once stock assessments are complete and management objectives defined, this species would be re-allocated to primary. For the purposes of pre-assessment, stocks which are designated at a low level cannot be considered to be “likely above” their point of recruitment impairment. In a full assessment, this would receive closer examination in each case, as it is possible that reference points set at very precautionary levels would still meet this requirement even if the stock is considered “low”. Furthermore, the pre- assessment does not evaluate whether the fishery being assessed is making a significant contribution to fishing mortality. A full assessment would examine the stock rebuilding plan to check whether the fishery being assessed has a role in rebuilding the stock, and if it does any measures required are in place. A lack of rebuilding plan and/or information allowing assessors to determine the impact of each fishery would prevent the assessed fishery from passing. Where this problem might arise is indicated in each case. In practice, secondary species lack information to determine their status precisely, and therefore some sort of risk assessment is likely to be required. If no risk assessment has been carried out by the responsible research institute, the MSC assessment team can use the MSC risk-based framework to determine outcome status (as per definition in Table 3, Section 7.7.6 of FCRv2). Landings statistics for 2016 were provided by Japan (MAFF). Catch data play a very important role in the MSC assessment. The catch profile is used to not only determine whether a catch of a stock is considered main or not, which has significant impact on scoring, but also can be used to determine which fisheries should take primary responsibility for appropriate management intervention. Main species are those which make up 5% of the catch or 2% if the species is vulnerable. Minor species only affect the scoring above 80. While the pre-assessment does not explicitly take into account minor species effect on scores, it does identify currently minor species which may put the certificate at risk. Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 28

The landings profiles used here only cover one year and do not include any discards so main and minor designations could conceivably change. A full assessment would ideally use five years catch to reduce the effect of year to year variation and to provide a good understanding of the long-term average catch composition of the P2 species. In addition, discards assumed to be negligible. Fishers reported very low discarding, but this would likely need to be verified in some cases particularly where bycatch levels are high. Observer information was not available. Table 3.1: Summary of the status of P2 primary species which are caught in the fisheries under assessment Japanese English Species Stock State Forecast マイワシ Sardine Sardinops Pacific Medium Increasing melanostictus Tsushima warm current Medium Stable マサバ Chub mackerel Scomber Pacific Medium Increasing japonicus Tsushima warm current Low Increasing スケトウタラ Alaskan pollock Gadus Sea of Japan Low Stable chalcogrammus Nemuro Strait Low Stable Sea of Okhotsk Low Decreasing Pacific Medium Decreasing

ニシン Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Hokkaido Low Stable

マダラ Pacific cod Gadus Hokkaido High Stable macrocephalus Pacific Northern High Increasing Sea of Japan High Stable キアンコウ Angler fish Lophius litulon North Pacific Medium Stable

ホッケ Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus Nemuro Low Decreasing azonus Strait/Higashi/Hidaka Hokoku Low Decreasing Donan Low Decreasing ブリ Amberjack Seriola High Increasing quinqueradiata ハタハタ Sailfin sandfish Arctoscopus Western Sea of Japan Medium Stable japonicus Sea of Japan Medium Stable ヒラメ Japanese flounder Paralichthys Pacific Northern High Increasing olivaceus Seto Inland Sea Medium Stable Japan Sea N / Central Low Stable Western Sea of Japan · Medium Decreasing East China Sea アカガレイ Flathead flounder Hippoglossoides Sea of Japan Medium Stable dubius

マガレイ Brown sole Pseudopleuronect Hokkaido Northern Low Stable es herzensteini Sea of Japan Low Decreasing トラフグ Globefish Takifugu rubipes The Japan Sea, the East Low Decreasing China Sea & the Seto Inland Sea Ise / Mikawa Bay Low Increasing

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ホッコクアカ Deep water prawn Pandalus eous Sea of Japan High Increasing エビ

トヤマエビ Pink prawn Pandalus Sea of Japan High Unknown hypsinotus (ボタンエビ）

ヤナギダコ Chestnut octopus Octopus Hokkaido Medium Stable conispadiceus ミズダコ North-pacific giant Octopus dofleini Hokkaido Medium Stable octopus クロマグロ North Pacific Bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis North Pacific Ocean Low Stable

Source: Fisheries Research Agency: http://abchan.fra.go.jp/digests28/; North Pacific giant octopus and chestnut octopus: 42 Daido Institute for Fisheries Research stock summaries.

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Prawn Pot (UoA 1 and 3) Of the 21 species caught as bycatch, four are considered main. The deep-water prawn and pink prawn are P1 target species, but would be considered main primary when the other species is assessed under P1. Both species are considered to be at a high level. The other main species are chestnut octopus, which has a stock assessment and might be treated as primary. It is considered as at medium level. Morotoge shrimp are secondary species, but are likely to score high productivity and therefore low to medium risk if RBF is used. The fishery may struggle to score higher than 80 on minor species due to the state of the primary species (Table 3.1) and lack of information on secondary species. Table 3.2: Landings profile for prawn pot gear. Fish Species English Name Weight Percent Primary Main (kg) /Secondary /Minor Pandalus eous Deep water prawn 327798 42.8 P1 (PRI) Main Pandalus hypsinotus Pink prawn 252025 32.9 P1 (PRI) Main Octopus conispadiceus Chestnut octopus 108431 14.1 PRI Main Pandalopsis japonica Morotoge shrimp 46097 6 SEC Main Neptunea polycostata Ezo-neptune 30424 4 SEC Minor Lebbeus groenlandicus Lebbeus shrimp 1870 0.2 SEC Minor Gadus macrocephalus Pacific cod 45 0 PRI Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 35 0 PRI Minor Podothecus sachi Sailfin poacher 0 0 SEC Minor Stichopus japonica Japanese common sea cucumber 0 0 SEC Minor Sebastes steindachneri Yellow body rockfish 0 0 SEC Minor Cleisthenes pinetorum Souhachi-flounder 0 0 SEC Minor MIicrostomus achne Slime flounder 0 0 SEC Minor Arctoscopus japonicus Sailfin sandfish 0 0 PRI Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 0 0 SEC Minor Clupea pallasii Pacific herring 0 0 PRI Minor Stichaeus grigorjewi Long shanny 0 0 SEC Minor Hippoglossoides dubius Flathead flounder 0 0 PRI Minor Unknown (Rajiformes) Skate (species not identified) 0 0 SEC Minor Myoxocephalus Great sculpin 0 0 SEC Minor polyacanthocephalus Pleuronectes mochigarei Rock sole 0 0 SEC Minor Grand Total 766728 100

In addition to the bycatch, bait species will also be scored under bycatch. The main bait species reported as being used consist of Alaskan pollock and Pacific herring. Both these species are primary and have stocks considered at a low level. Whether they are treated as main or minor will depend on the quantity of bait used as a proportion of the catch; if this is greater than 5% they would be main. If they are main species, because of their low status, they would likely lead at least to a condition or could lead to failing the fishery dependent on evidence provided on quantity used and how bait is sourced. Alaskan pollock stocks have TACs set, so it may be possible to show the fishery is abiding by

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a rebuilding plan. In full assessment details of quantities of bait used and their source will need to be provided.

Prawn Trawl (UoA 2 and 4) Of the 31 species caught in prawn trawl, two are P1 target species. Each will be considered as primary main when the other species is assessed as P1 target. Both are considered at a high level, so are unlikely to score below 80, and the catch of pink prawn is low, so it is a minor species (Table 3.3). Otherwise there were five main species identified. Main primary species consist of Pacific cod, chestnut octopus and Pacific herring. Pacific herring is considered to have low status, so the fishery will require at least some measures to show it is not hindering stock recovery. There is one main secondary species is slime flounder. The growth rate for this species appears quite low (see www.fishbase.org ), so the stock may score higher risk in RBF. As is typical of shrimp trawl, bycatch is high. Any significant discarding of main species would lead to scoring issue 2.2.2e being included in the assessment, which requires that the fishery conducts a review of alternative measures to reduce such discards. Table 3.3: Landings profile for prawn pot gear. Fish Species English Name Weight Percent Primary Main (kg) /Secondary /Minor Hippoglossoides dubius Flathead flounder 138983.5 30.3 PRI Main Gadus macrocephalus Pacific cod 57604.2 12.6 PRI Main Microstomus achne Slime flounder 45669.6 10 SEC Main Pandalus eous Deep water prawn 45041 9.8 P1 (PRI) Main Octopus conispadiceus Chestnut octopus 25133.6 5.5 PRI Main Clupea pallasii Pacific herring 22988.6 5 PRI Main Stichaeus grigorjewi Long shanny 20564.1 4.5 SEC Minor Pandalus hypsinotus Pink prawn 18538.4 4 P1 (PRI) Minor Cleisthenes pinetorum Souhachi-flounder 15518.1 3.4 SEC Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 14895.3 3.2 PRI Minor Gadus chalcogrammus Alaskan pollock 11880 2.6 PRI Minor Pleuronectes mochigarei Rock sole 9337.7 2 SEC Minor Arctoscopus japonicus Sailfin sandfish 8632.7 1.9 PRI Minor Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus Great sculpin 6577.4 1.4 SEC Minor Podothecus sachi Sailfin poacher 5640.8 1.2 SEC Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 5553.3 1.2 SEC Minor Atheresthes evermanni Kamchatka flounder 3374 0.7 SEC Minor Sebastes steindachneri Yellow body rockfish 763.9 0.2 SEC Minor Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini Brown sole 635 0.1 PRI Minor Octopus dofleini North-pacific giant octopus 410 0.1 PRI Minor Unknown Other fish C 294.4 0.1 SEC Minor Unknown (Rajiformes) Skate (species not 173 0 SEC Minor identified) Neptunea polycostata Ezo-neptune 95.6 0 SEC Minor Lophius litulon Angler fish 47.4 0 PRI Minor

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Pholis nebulosa Blenny 15 0 SEC Minor Verasper moseri Barfin flounder 8.4 0 SEC Minor Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 7.2 0 PRI Minor Eleginus gracilis Saffron cod 5 0 SEC Minor Hexagrammos otakii Green ling 5 0 SEC Minor Oncorhynchus masou Masu salmon 3.4 0 SEC Minor Lepidotrigla microptena Searobin 0 0 SEC Minor Grand Total 458395.6 100

Sea Urchin Hook Collection (UoA 5 and 6) Sea urchin are collected directly, so no unintended bycatch is taken. Apart from the P1 target species, only short-spined sea urchins are removed. This population is supported by hatchery release, and it is unclear whether the population at this latitude is now self-supporting, although much higher catches of this species were taken in the past. It is a minor species which may well be treated as primary because it is managed through hatchery release. Hatchery release is likely to be maintaining the stock above its unexploited level. Otherwise, it is reported that sea urchin predators, notably starfish and crabs, may be removed to reduce urchin natural mortality. These removals have not been quantified. Quantities removed and some idea of the effect of these removals would be required in a full assessment.

Table 3.4: Landings profile for Sea Urchin Hook fishery. Fish Species English Name Quantity Percent Primary Main /Minor Weight (kg) /Secondary Strongylocentrotus Northern sea urchin 116124.3 96.4 P1 (SEC) Main nudus Strongylocentrotus Short-spined sea urchin 4313.9 3.6 PRI Minor intermedius Grand Total 120438.2 100.0

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Japanese Flounder Hera-biki troll (UoA 7) Based on the landings profile (Table 3.5), Japanese flounder (P1 species) is the only main species. Of the 11 minor species, four species are primary. Atka mackerel, brown sole and globefish are considered overexploited. Given the very low catches in this gear, it is unlikely that this gear would be considered as hindering recovery. For the secondary species, several species are vulnerable to overfishing, and it is possible that the RBF would identify these stocks at high risk. However, again in this case, it is unlikely that this fishery would be determined as hindering recovery of the stocks. Table 3.5: Landings profile for Japanese Flounder Hera-biki Troll fishery. Fish Species English Name Quantity Percent Primary Main Weight (kg) /Secondary /Minor Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 26902 98.9 P1 (PRI) Main Seriola quinqueradiata Amberjack 219.8 0.8 PRI Minor Strongylocentrotus nudus Northern sea urchin 27 0.1 SEC Minor Hexagrammos otakii Green ling 14.8 0.1 SEC Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 13.9 0.1 PRI Minor Sebastes schlegelii Black rockfish 12.9 0 SEC Minor Sebastes vulpes Fox jacopever 0.8 0 SEC Minor Takifugu porphyreus Globefish 0 0 PRI Minor Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini Brown sole 0 0 PRI Minor Sebastes trivittatus Threestripe rockfish 0 0 SEC Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 0 0 SEC Minor Grand Total 27191.2 100

Japanese Flounder Sokodate’ Fixed Set net (UoA 8) Of the 31 species reported in the landings, the main species consist of the P1 target, 3 primary and one secondary species (Table 3.6). Of the primary species, brown sole and globefish are considered “low” and probably cannot be considered to be highly likely above their PRI (Table 3.1). The fishery will need to show it is complying with the strategy to rebuild these stocks. No information was available on any such strategy. Note that these stocks have no TAC, so other measures would be needed to reduce their catch. For the secondary species, stone flounder (Platichthys bicoloratus synonym for Kareius bicoloratus) is the only main species. This should have similar biological characteristics as the target P1, Japanese flounder although information specific to this species may be limited. Usually, with large numbers of minor species, fisheries have difficulties meeting SG80 requirements for these elements due to a lack of evidence. While minor species bycatch may not cause a fishery to score below 80 on relevant performance indicators, it is likely it will prevent the fishery scoring much above 80.

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Table 3.6: Landings profile for Japanese Flounder Sokodate Fixed Net fishery. Fish Species English Name Quantity Percent Primary Main Weight /Secondary /Minor (kg) Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 7907.2 40.1 P1 (PRI) Main Seriola quinqueradiata Amberjack 3671.5 18.6 PRI Main Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini Brown sole 2331.7 11.8 PRI Main Takifugu porphyreus Globefish 1264.8 6.4 PRI Main Platichthys bicoloratus Stone flounder 1117.5 5.7 SEC Main Sebastes schlegelii Black rockfish 885.9 4.5 SEC Minor Decapods Crabs 635.7 3.2 SEC Minor Platichthys stellatus Starry flounder 558.2 2.8 SEC Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 370 1.9 SEC Minor Pseudopleuronectes obscurus Black plaice 302.3 1.5 SEC Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 199.3 1 PRI Minor Lophius litulon Angler fish 125 0.6 PRI Minor Stephanolepis cirrhifer Threadsail filefish 121.8 0.6 SEC Minor Limanda punctatissimus Longsnout flounder 53.3 0.3 SEC Minor Unknown Other fish C 43 0.2 SEC Minor Lepidotrigla microptena Searobin 39 0.2 SEC Minor Verasper moseri Barfin flounder 28.5 0.1 SEC Minor Hucho perryi Japanese Huchen 24.2 0.1 SEC Minor Cleisthenes pinetorum Souhachi-flounder 19.6 0.1 SEC Minor Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus Great sculpin 14.9 0.1 SEC Minor Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pink salmon 6 0 SEC Minor Sebastes steindachneri Yellow body rockfish 5 0 SEC Minor Octopus dofleini North-pacific giant 4.6 0 PRI Minor octopus Scomber japonicus Chub mackerel 3.1 0 PRI Minor Sebastes vulpes Fox jacopever 2.7 0 SEC Minor Oncorhynchus masou Masu salmon 2 0 SEC Minor Mugil cephalus Flathead gray mullet 1.4 0 SEC Minor Sebastes trivittatus Threestripe rockfish 0.8 0 SEC Minor Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica Whelk 0 0 SEC Minor Sardinops melanostictus Sardine 0 0 PRI Minor Grand Total 19739 100

Flounder Gillnet (UoA 9) Of the 34 species in the bycatch, there are six main species including the P1 Japanese flounder. The only main primary species is North Pacific giant octopus, which is considered having “medium level” status (Table 3.1). There are three main secondary species, of which the mottled skate, fox jacopever Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 35

and threestripe rockfish have very low productivity and are therefore likely to be at high risk of overexploitation. The fishery will likely need further evidence on the exploitation rate and status of these species to meet MSC requirements. Table 3.7: Landings profile for Japanese Flounder Gillnet fishery. Fish Species English Name Weight Percent Primary Main (kg) /Secondary /Minor Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 15003.5 39.8 P1 (PRI) Main Sebastes trivittatus Threestripe rockfish 5252.6 13.9 SEC Main Raja pulchra Mottled skate 4232 11.2 SEC Main Octopus dofleini North-pacific giant 2542.2 6.7 PRI Main octopus Platichthys bicoloratus Stone flounder 2220.6 5.9 SEC Main Pseudopleuronectes obscurus Black plaice 1646.4 4.4 SEC Minor Sebastes vulpes Fox jacopever 1634 4.3 SEC Main3 Stichopus japonica Japanese common sea 1376.7 3.6 SEC Minor cucumber Lophius litulon Angler fish 1019.5 2.7 PRI Minor Hexagrammos otakii Green ling 911.9 2.4 SEC Minor Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini Brown sole 414.6 1.1 PRI Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 372.8 1 PRI Minor Sebastes taczanowskii White-edged rockfish 351.4 0.9 SEC Minor Sebastes schlegelii Black rockfish 297.1 0.8 SEC Minor Oncorhynchus masou Masu salmon 180.4 0.5 SEC Minor Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus Great sculpin 100 0.3 SEC Minor Seriola quinqueradiata Amberjack 77.5 0.2 PRI Minor Sebastes sp. Rock fish (species not 35 0.1 SEC Minor identified) Ovalipes punctatus Swimming clab 34 0.1 SEC Minor Octopus conispadiceus Chestnut octopus 14 0 SEC Minor Takifugu porphyreus Globefish 6.6 0 PRI Minor Verasper moseri Barfin flounder 5.7 0 SEC Minor Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica Whelk 5 0 SEC Minor Takifugu rubipes Globefish 1.3 0 PRI Minor Unknown Other fish C 0 0 SEC Minor Strongylocentrotus intermedius Short-spined sea urchin 0 0 SEC Minor Pleuronectes mochigarei Rock sole 0 0 SEC Minor Podothecus sachi Sailfin poacher 0 0 SEC Minor Cleisthenes pinetorum Souhachi-flounder 0 0 SEC Minor

3 This species is designated as main, because we assume here it has low resilience and the landings are greater than 2% of the total. This would need to be determined in full assessment. Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 36

Platichthys stellatus Starry flounder 0 0 SEC Minor Neptunea polycostata Ezo-neptune 0 0 SEC Minor Gadus macrocephalus Pacific cod 0 0 PRI Minor Limanda punctatissimus Longsnout flounder 0 0 SEC Minor Halocynthia roretzi Sea pineapple 0 0 SEC Minor Grand Total 37734.8

Flounder Jigging / Blue Fin Tuna Troll (UoA 10 and 14) The landings profile provided, aggregates jigging for Japanese flounder and trolling for bluefin tuna. As these are very different fishing methods it perhaps indicates that they are used on the same fishing trip. As different methods of fishing are used, even if on the same trip, the landings for each fishing activity should be separated to give a more accurate indication of the landing of each UoA. According to the landings data provided, of the 11 species reported as landed, 5 are considered main. Of these, for the combined gears, the bluefin tuna and Japanese flounder are each primary species when the other species is assessed as P1. Japanese flounder is considered to be at a medium level and increasing, whereas bluefin tuna is at a low level and stable. Although there is a management plan being developed to rebuild North Pacific bluefin tuna, there is no evidence yet that the stock is increasing. The remaining three main species are secondary. However, they are all vulnerable rockfish (Sebastes spp.), so may well be designated high risk in a RBF assessment. Bait might be assumed to be a minor species, but in full assessment details of quantities of bait used and their source will need to be provided.

Table 3.8: Landings profile for Japanese Flounder Jigging / Blue-fin Tuna Troll fishery. Fish Species English Name Weight Percent Primary Main (kg) /Secondary /Minor Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 19738.1 73.8 P1 (PRI) Main Thunnus orientalis Bluefin tuna 3201.6 12 P1 (PRI) Main Sebastes trivittatus Threestripe rockfish 1949.5 7.3 SEC Main Sebastes schlegelii Black rockfish 780 2.9 SEC Main4 Sebastes vulpes Fox jacopever 592.6 2.2 SEC Main5 Seriola quinqueradiata Amberjack 265.8 1 PRI Minor Oncorhynchus masou Masu salmon 148.9 0.6 SEC Minor Sebastes sp. Rock fish (species not identified) 35 0.1 SEC Minor Sebastes taczanowskii White-edged rockfish 20 0.1 SEC Minor Hexagrammos otakii Green ling 13.6 0.1 SEC Minor Pleurogrammus azonus Atka mackerel 5 0 PRI Minor Grand Total 26750.1 100

4 These species are designated as main, because we assume here it has low resilience and the landings are greater than 2% of the total. This would need to be determined in full assessment. 5 As above. Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 37

Octopus Drift Barrel (UoA 11) The fishery does not report landing any other species than North Pacific giant octopus. Without any bycatch, the fishery should score very highly on performance indicator groups 2.1 and 2.2. Bait might be assumed to be a minor species, but in full assessment details of quantities of bait used and their source will need to be provided. Table 3.9: Landings profile for octopus Drift Barrel gear. Fish Species English Name Quantity Percent Primary Main /Minor Weight (kg) /Secondary Octopus dofleini North-pacific 315758.1 100.0 P1 (PRI) Main giant octopus Grand Total 315758.1 100.0

Octopus Box Trap (UoA 12) Of the 7 species reported in the catch, there are no main species apart from the P1 target species. The only primary species, Japanese flounder, is minor and considered to be at the medium level. The only secondary species landed that might be considered vulnerable is the mottled skate, but the reported landing of this species from this gear in 2016 was less than a kilo, so catches are very likely negligible. Table 3.10: Landings profile for octopus box trap gear. Fish Species English Name Weight (kg) Percent Primary Main /Secondary /Minor Octopus dofleini North-pacific giant octopus 684688.9 100.0 P1 (PRI) Main Neptunea polycostata Ezo-neptune 30.0 0.0 SEC Minor Stichaeus grigorjewi Long shanny 19.5 0.0 SEC Minor Stichopus japonica Japanese common sea cucumber 17.7 0.0 SEC Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 0.0 0.0 SEC Minor Octopus conispadiceus Chestnut octopus 0.0 0.0 SEC Minor Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 0.0 0.0 PRI Minor Grand Total 684756.1 100.0

Octopus Hook and Rope (UoA 13) Hook and rope is laid on the sea bed to capture octopus as the crawl over the gear. The gear appears to predominantly capture the intended target, and bycatch landings are very low, with no main species. Ostensibly this could lead to high scores on primary and secondary species performance indicators. However, the hook and rope may be left for some considerable period (days or weeks) without being checked. Fish caught during this period may not survive and could die, get consumed by predators or scavengers or be of poor quality and be discarded. Therefore, for this gear, unrecorded mortality could be very high and landings profile may not reflect this. Table 3.11: Landings profile for octopus hook & rope. Fish Species English Name Weight (kg) Percent Primary Main /Secondary /Minor Octopus dofleini North-pacific giant octopus 144125.8 99.9 P1 (PRI) Main Octopus conispadiceus Chestnut octopus 197.0 0.1 PRI Minor Raja pulchra Mottled skate 3.1 0.0 SEC Minor

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Paralichthys olivaceus Japanese flounder 0.0 0.0 PRI Minor Grand Total 144325.9 100.0

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3.1.2 Endangered, threatened or protected species The MSC define Endangered Threatened & Protected (ETP) species as those that are recognized by national ETP legislation and those species that are listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Japan accepted the requirements of CITES in 1980, and they were entered into force in Japan that year. Appendix 1 of CITES has been accessed at the CITES website (CITES, 2011). None of the species listed in Appendix 1 have been reported to interact directly or indirectly with any the units of assessment under consideration. The Japanese Environment Agency published the Red Data Book of Japan in 1991, and the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was enacted in 1992. This has resulted in specific species and habitats being protected. The Japan Fisheries Agency published a “Data Book on Scarce Aquatics” in 1998, which lists the protected marine species in Japanese waters. Table 3.12: The list of species which would be expected to be considered as ETP in any full MSC assessment (IUCN Redlist search terms: AMPHIBIA, AVES, MAMMALIA, REPTILIA; Northwest Pacific, Japan (ran for Hokkaido and Kyushu); marine, Marine Neritic, Marine Oceanic, Marine Deep Benthic, Marine Intertidal; CE, EN, VU). Common Name Scientific Name Status Trend CITES I Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis EN Unknown Y Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus EN Inc Y Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus EN Unknown Y Northern Fur Seal Callorhinus ursinus VU Dec Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta VU Dec Green Turtle Chelonia mydas EN Dec Y Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea VU Dec Y Dugong Dugong dugon VU Dec Y Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata CE Dec North Pacific Right Whale Eubalaena japonica EN Unknown Hawaiian Monk Seal Neomonachus schauinslandi EN Dec Narrow-ridged Finless Porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis EN Dec Y Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides VU Dec Y Walrus Odobenus rosmarus VU Unknown Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus VU Unknown Y Polar Bear Ursus maritimus VU Unknown Baird's Beaked Whale Berardius bairdii DD Unknown Y Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata LC Stable Y Bryde's Whale Balaenoptera edeni DD Unknown Y Omura’s Whale Balaenoptera omurai DD Unknown Y Short tailed Albatros Phoebastria albatrus UN INC Y Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis According to MSC flounder report - on Japanese Ministry of Environment Red list Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume

The level of interaction between the UoA fisheries that use static fishing methods and ETP species is likely to be extremely low. In particular, the static nature of the systems employed means that

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accidental capture of bird, marine mammal or turtle species is highly unlikely, and would be a very unusual occurrence. The use of mobile gear in other UoAs means there is a potentially higher risk of impacting ETP species, but the design of the gear limits the risk that any large ETP species would be impacted. The most likely gear that ETP species are likely to encounter are trawl, Sokodate and gillnet. It was reported by stakeholders during the site visit that none of the units of assessment interact with any ETP species. It is understood that for certain protected species, there is a national standard plan of action to help fishermen deal with entanglement or other interactions. However, the lack of independent fishery-observer data and log books, in the fisheries being assessed is likely to limit the potential for the fisheries to score highly on Performance Indicators related to ETP species.

3.1.3 Habitats Usually habitats impacted by the UoA are benthic habitats (i.e. associated with or occurring on the bottom) rather than pelagic habitats (i.e. near the surface or in the open water column), but impacts on the biotic aspects of pelagic habitats could also be considered as part of a full MSC assessment. When determining which benthic habitats are impacted by the UoA, there needs to be consideration of habitats on the basis of substratum, geomorphology and biota characteristics. For each UoA determination needs to be made as to which habitat is commonly encountered, vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) or minor habitat and determine if there is serious or irreversible harm to the habitat structure or function due to the impacts of the fishing gear. If necessary there needs to be a strategy in place to ensure that the UoA does not pose a risk of serious or irreversible harm to the habitats. Information is needed to determine the risk posed to the habitat by the UoA and information to determine the effectiveness to manage impacts on the habitat. There has been broad scale habitat and benthic mapping in the Sea of Japan. The Research Institutes have carried out finer habitat studies in several of the areas under assessment. The UoAs that use fishing gear that has no contact with the bottom are very unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the habitat. The UoAs using bottom gear, whether mobile or static, may cause some disruption to the habitat at least in the short term, in altering the species composition of the habitat. Consideration must also be given to the impacts of any gear loss. Most of the fisheries occur where the habitats are sand and mud and no fisheries take place in VME areas. Potential measures and partial strategies in relation to habitat impacts include closed areas, restrictions on numbers of licenses, location of fishing, restrictions on gear and that the distribution of habitat extends well beyond the known fishing area.

Habitat enhancement Artificial reefs have been used to enhance coastal fisheries in Japan for several hundred years, but their widespread construction and application are recent, spanning the last 15 to 20 years. It is estimated that about one-fifth of the coastline of Japan has some form of human-made reef. They range from several meters to 100 m deep in the water and from 100 m to 30 km from the shore. Reef blocks (usually of concrete) range from about 1 to 11 m in height and from 1 to 10 in in width. In the marine area around Kita Rumoi stones and concrete blocks have been introduced to “enhance the habitat”. Habitat enhancement aims to expand areas of good habitat for certain species, such as sea urchin, lobster, sea cucumber, oyster, abalone, and seaweed, in addition to certain fish species. Artificial reefs are structures that serve as shelter and habitat, source of food, breeding area and shoreline protection. Their major functions are to • concentrate organisms to allow for more efficient fishing; • protect small/juvenile organisms and nursery areas from destructive gears;

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• increase the natural productivity by supplying new habitats for permanently attached or sessile organisms and by allowing the establishment of an associated food chain; • create habitats and simulate natural reefs for desired target species. Artificial reef designs have undergone steady modification with experience. The main considerations in choosing materials have often been availability, cost and ease of installation in the water, although adverse implications of certain materials or their effectiveness to enhance the habitat have often been over• looked. Debris has ended up along beaches due to inadequate fastening and anchoring methods. They have often damaged fishing nets and resulted in litter along the shoreline. There is debate around the trade-off between the potential pollution impact of artificial value compared to the benefits they bring in terms of enhancement. In the full assessment all fisheries must give some consideration to habitat enhancement in their UOA.

3.1.4 Ecosystem The MSC FCR version 2.0 considers the ecosystem component to include ‘the broad ecological community and ecosystem in which the fishery operates’. The ecosystem component addresses system wide issues, primarily impacted indirectly by the fishery, including ecosystem structure, trophic relationships and biodiversity. It is important that the fishery does not cause serious or irreversible harm to the key elements of ecosystem structure and function. The ecosystem for these fisheries under assessment is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and near shore zones. Ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity/richness, trophic food webs (including top predators and prey) and ecosystem services. Across the ecosystem the spatial protection of some areas from fishing ensures species diversity in these areas remains, and food sources are available. Evidence exists through, field experiments, annual stock assessments, modelling and on-going monitoring by the Research Institutes and Universities, of physical and biological components of areas in the Sea of Japan which contribute to the knowledge of the ecosystem. The available evidence from scientific studies and practical observation of the fisheries, is that the mechanisms by which the fishery might affect ecosystems have been identified, and it appears that it is highly unlikely to cause serious or irreversible harm to ecosystem structure and function The most important management measure in place for this fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area round Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems.

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3.2 Management system background (P3)

Area of operation of the fishery and the jurisdiction under which it falls All of the fisheries included in this multi-fishery pre-assessment occur in the Sea of Japan entirely within the Japanese EEZ. None of the fisheries activities occur in external waters. There is therefore little requirement for binding agreement with other international parties. The only exception to this is for the Blue Fin Tuna UoA which is managed at an international level by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO). Consideration is therefore given to the role played internationally, both in science and stock management (i.e. MSC P1) and in fishery specific decision-making processes (i.e. MSC P3) as part of this MSC pre-assessment scoring exercise.

Governance Japanese Fisheries are governed under a hierarchy of legislation stemming from the 1940 and 1950s, with more recent amendments and additions. Table 3.2.1: Key Legislation in Relation to Japanese fisheries and marine ecosystem management. Legislation Scope Comments Fisheries Law of 1949 (as amended) Governs Rights & Licences Coastal Defines Fisheries coordinating Offshore & distant water organisations Fisheries Cooperative Associations Governs fishers and fisheries Law 1948 processor associations Fisheries Cooperative Associations The Fisheries Resource Protection Law Sets out regulations for the protection Enables Minister to limit vessel 1951 of fishery resources numbers or catches as required, with reference to status of fishery Monitoring & control resources. Gives Minister Powers to Protection of spawning & nursery impose penalties. grounds The Fishing Vessel Law of 1950 Governs construction registration & inspection of vessels The Fishing Ports & Fishing Ground Defines planning and maintenance of Construction Law 1950 fishing ports and fishing grounds Environmental restoration Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Act No. 75 of June 5, 1992) The Preservation and Management of Establishes TAC system and output Enacted after Japanese ratification of Living Marine Resources Law 1996 controls UNCLOS Fisheries Basic Act Act No. 89 of June 29, 2001 Basic Act on Biodiversity (Act No. 58 of June 6, 2008) Basic Act on Ocean Policy (Act No. 33 of April 27, 2007)

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The primary legislation governing fisheries in Japan is the Fisheries Law of 1949. This establishes the different tiers of Fisheries management and jurisdictions and defines at what level fisheries are managed and by who. It is this legislation which sets out the different licence types which apply to the fisheries covered by this MSC pre-assessment. In simple terms fisheries are either categorised as (i) Coastal or (ii) Off-shore / Distant (there is also a third category, which is not discussed further here, for ‘other fisheries’ which covers fisheries like certain inland fisheries or salmon / trout fisheries). Most of the fisheries covered by this MSC pre-assessment fall into the first of these categories (Coastal). All Coastal Fisheries Rights are granted by the Prefecture Government. Within this category there are again a number of sub-division of licence types. Most fisheries included in this MSC pre-assessment fall into the first of these categories for Common Fisheries Rights. These rights are granted by the Prefecture Governor to the relevant Fishery Cooperative Association, who in turn set the management regulations. This applies with a specific coastal area and applies only to local fishers. Table 3.2.2: Summary of the licence categories described in the Fisheries Law of 1949. Fishery Rights for Common Fisheries Rights Common Fisheries (Seaweed, kelp, shellfish) Coastal Fishers only for FCAs Small scale fixed nets Set net /gillnet Granted by Prefecture FCA mandated to set regulations Governor Beach seine / non-powered within specified coastal area Bird-guided i.e winter Mullet Only for local fishers Inland water Rivers & lakes Large Scale Set Net Over 27m depth Includes salmon fixed nets Demarcated (Aquaculture) Facilities Hanging rafts, floating cages, stakes or sticks Large scale (surrounded) Net cages Other aquaculture Seabed cultivation Fishery licences Minister Licenced (Designated) Large scale industrialised large scale offshore & distant (offshore & Distant) (directly managed by MAFF) Doesn’t create explicit Governor licenced Medium scale – coast & offshore rights Other Fisheries Specified exceptions to medium-scale roundhaul, prohibitions small-scale snurrevaad, Seto Inland boat seine or small-scale salmon/trout driftnet fishery

Source: Derived from Makino 2011, with reference to translation of Fisheries Law 1949 Even at the Prefectural level there are a number of further tiers of management which work together to deliver the fisheries management framework. For example, at the Prefectural level, the Hokkaido Fisheries Coordination Committee designates the fishing areas and regulates on certain seasonal closures. This Area Fisheries Coordinating Committee comprises of representatives from the fishing industry, academics and local government officials. The Area Fisheries Coordinating Committee plays a key role in advising the Prefecture Governor. Also, at the Prefectural level, a Fisheries Resources Management Guideline is published which sets the framework for much of the management decision- making at more local levels. The majority of management oversight comes at the level of the Fisheries Cooperative Association, which is therefore the main decision-making body for fisheries specific management for the majority of the fisheries covered by this MSC pre-assessment. The final tier of management is within the individual cooperative, where groups of fishers come together to set more detailed rules. For several of the fisheries covered by this pre-assessment it is at

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this most local tier of management that many of the decisions in relation to technical measures is applied.

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4. EVALUATION PROCEDURE 4.1 Assessment methodologies used The MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements v 2.0 was used to conduct the pre-assessment for this fishery. The MSC Pre-Assessment Reporting Template v 2.0 was used to create this report.

4.1.1 Assessment Team Members The team members selected for this project bring a wealth of MSC assessment expertise, coupled with an understanding and knowledge of Japanese fisheries. All are qualified to perform MSC assessments, including successful completion of other relevant modules, such as ‘Team Leader’, ‘Risk Based Framework’ and ‘Chain of Custody’. All have declared that they have no Conflict of Interest with the fisheries being pre-assessed.

Tristan Southall Tristan Southall acted as team leader on this pre-assessment. Tristan is an experienced marine and fisheries industry analyst, with qualifications in Marine Biology (BSc) and Marine Resource Development & Protection (MSc) and many years’ experience as an independent fisheries consultant. He is based in the UK. Tristan is a fully qualified MSC assessor and has conducted many full MSC assessments, typically serving as team leader and acting as either Principle 2 or Principle 3 specialist. In addition, Tristan has conducted many multi-species, multi-fishery pre-assessments, such as this one, in countries such as Australia, Denmark, Ireland and Iceland. Tristan has also been contracted directly by the MSC to develop capacity building tools and deliver MSC capacity building training for prospective fishery clients and stakeholders all across the world; a recognition of his excellent understanding of MSC Certification Requirements, it’s practical application and challenges.

Jo Akroyd Jo Akroyd acted as Principle 2 specialist on this pre-assessment. Jo is Director and Principal Consultant of Jo Akroyd Ltd, an International consultancy company specialising in marine fisheries policy and marine ecosystem and community-based management. She has also provided services in quality system implementation and training in project management and negotiation skills. Prior to a career in consultancy, she was manager of International Projects at the Auckland University of Technology and Director of Quality and Strategic Management and Assistant Director of Marine Research at the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand. Her specific experience relating to MSC assessments includes acting as Lead auditor and team member on the assessment of the Tosakatsuo Suisan Skipjack tuna Japan, the NZ albacore troll, Hokkaido scallops Japan, NZ southern scallop and providing specialist inputs on Principle 3 (Fisheries management), the NZ hoki fishery the Ross Sea Toothfish fishery and NZ EEZ fisheries

Paul Medley Dr. Paul Medley acted as Principle 1 specialist on this pre-assessment and also advised on P2 Primary & Secondary Species. Paul is an independent fisheries consultant, based in the UK. His expertise includes mathematical modelling of fisheries and ecological systems, techniques for multispecies stock assessment and external review of stock assessment methodologies. He has been an invited expert for a number of stock assessment working group meetings. He has a wide practical experience in marine biology, including design and implementation of surveys and fisheries experiments. This includes addressing wider environmental issues of ecological management, including maintenance of marine biodiversity. He has taken part in many MSC fishery assessments and has worked with MSC on new methodology developments.

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Yoko Tamura Yoko Tamura acted as Principle 3 specialist on this pre-assessment, and as a the only Japanese speaker in the team, played a vital role in leading meetings and providing supporting information for the other assessors. Yoko Tamura is an independent consultant who worked recently with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to promote Fishery Improvement Projects and buyer engagement in Japan. With a MA in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington and a BSc. in Marine Resource Management from the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, she has worked on coastal resources management, fisheries, and sustainable development and has significant current knowledge of the country, language and local fishery context. Previously, she was a technical expert for Japan International Cooperation Agency and a project coordinator at Conservation International Japan. Yoko’s previous MSC experience includes the MSC assessment of the Kyoto Danish Seine Fishery Federation flathead flounder fishery.

4.1.2 Summary of site visits and meetings held during pre-assessment Meetings and field activities were undertaken during a site visit to Japan during the week commencing 11th December 2017. All of the team members identified above were in attendance at all meetings. Meetings and vessel visits were held in Kita Rumoi on 11th and 12th December 2017. Meetings were held in the meeting room of the Kita Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative. The table below provides details of the meeting participants: Table 4.1: Summary of Stakeholder consultees Organization Name Position Kita-Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative: 北るもい漁業協 Osamu Ebina: 蝦名修 General Director: 専務理事 同組合 Kyohei Osaka: 逢坂恭平 Group leader: 総務部総務課総務 係長（兼）共済部共済課共済係

Fisherman: 漁業者 Yukihiko Takamatsu: 高松 タカマツ漁業部 幸彦

Hokkaido Research Organization Wakkanai Motohito Yamaguchi: 山口 Research Director: 研究部長 Fisheries Research Institute Research Division: 地方 幹人 独立行政法人 北海道立総合研究機構 稚内 水産試験場 調査研究部

Rumoi Promotion Bureau: 北海道 留萌振興局 Toshiko Umeki: 梅木淑子 Group leader: 漁政係長 産業振興部 水産課 Yoshiyuki Tanaka: 田中義行 Group leader: 漁業管理係長

Tokyo Agriculture University: 東京農業大学 生 Hajime Matsubara: 松原創 Associate Professor: 准教授 物産業学部 アクアバイオ学科 アクアゲノ ムサイエンス研究室

4.2 Methodological Considerations for subsequent full MSC assessment

4.2.1 Stakeholders to be consulted during a full assessment The following key stakeholders should be consulted during any resulting full assessments of the UoAs covered by this pre-assessment: • Relevant Fishermen • Kita Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative • Hokkaido Research Organisation • Hokkaido Fisheries Cooperative Association

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• Hokkaido prefecture Rumoi branch • Fisheries Agency of Japan • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries • Any relevant NGOs (none were identified during this pre-assessment process) • For UoA 14 (Blue fin tuna) it would also be necessary to consult with the relevant RFMO (WCPFC) The stakeholders would be expected to engage in the RBF process for Principle 2 Secondary Species 2.2.1 Outcome Status.

4.2.2 Harmonisation with any over-lapping MSC Fisheries There are no directly over-lapping fisheries which would need to be harmonised with.

4.2.3 Applicability of the default assessment tree The default assessment tree as provided in FCR v2 has been used to assess and score the fishery. No revisions of the default assessment tree are required. However, for any species where there is hatchery enhancement (hatch-and-catch (HAC)) scoring against Principle 1 PIs will need to be in accordance with the Enhanced HAC fisheries including the Genetics PIs ,1.1.3, 1.2.5, and 1.2.6. Furthermore, where no distinction is made between wild fish and artificially produced fish in estimates of spawning escapements or other surrogate reference points, stock status shall be scored lower than in cases where wild fish are enumerated separately.

4.2.4 Expectations regarding use of the Risk-Based Framework (RBF) The Risk-Based Framework (RBF) is not required for Principle 1. Due to the lack of stock status reference points for the main secondary species, Performance Indicator (PI) 2.2.1: outcome status has been assessed using the RBF.

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5. TRACEABILITY (ISSUES RELEVANT TO CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION) Traceability up to the point of first landing has been considered as part of this pre-assessment and the positive results reflect that the systems in place are deemed adequate to ensure fish is caught in a legal manner and is accurately recorded. The report and assessment trees describe these systems in more detail, but briefly traceability can be verified by: • no transhipment; • no processing at sea; • local fisheries, landing to a limited number of ports, within a single prefecture; • reliable information on landings from market statistics; The above is considered sufficient, relative to the scale and intensity of the fisheries, to ensure fish and fish products invoiced as such by the fishery originate from within the evaluated fishery. However, some minor possible risks of substitution have been identified belwo which should be considered in advance of full certification and assessed in more detail as part of any subsequent full assessment. 5.1 Potential Risk Factors Table 5.1: Summary of key traceability Risk Factors Traceability Factor Description of risk factor if present. Where applicable, a description of relevant mitigation measures or traceability systems Potential for non-certified gear/s to There is limited restriction on substitution of gears within a single trip, so long as be used within the fishery all gears are covered by the rules of the fishery. However, the UoAs cover the gears which are designed for a given target species, so landings from other gears would not be expected. None the less a small risk exists which should be explored more during full assessment. Potential for vessels from the UoC Vessels are only allowed to fish within the coastal rights area. Given the vessel to fish outside the UoC or in sizes, overnight trips are not possible so all fishing would be expected to take place different geographical areas (on the within the area covered by the assessment. same trips or different trips) Potential for vessels outside of the Only vessels with coastal rights may fish within the coastal rights area. However, UoC or client group fishing the same depending on stock definition, there may be a risk of vessels from outside the stock client group fishing on the same stock in other areas. This is particularly the case for more mobile / migratory species. This risk will need to be explored as part of a full assessment and any Chain of Custody assessment. Risks of mixing between certified Any full assessment would address the risks of mixing up to the point of first sale. and non-certified catch during Risks associated with subsequent mixing during storage, transport and handling storage, transport, or handling are dealt with in the Chain of Custody Assessment. The is no risk of mixing with activities (including transport at sea non-certified catch during fishing or unloading operations because only catches and on land, points of landing, and from the coastal rights fishery is landed at the port. sales at auction) Risks of mixing between certified There are no at sea processing activities. This is therefore covered by the Chain of and non-certified catch during Custody Assessment. processing activities (at-sea and/or before subsequent Chain of Custody) Risks of mixing between certified There is no transhipment. and non-certified catch during transhipment Any other risks of substitution No further risks identified. between fish from the UoC (certified catch) and fish from Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 49

outside this unit (non-certified catch) before subsequent Chain of Custody is required

5.2 Chain of Custody / Landing Ports Chain of Custody should commence following the first point of landing / sale, at which point any successfully certified product would be eligible to carry the MSC logo (under restrictions imposed by the MSC Chain of Custody standard). There would then be no restrictions on the fully certified product entering further chains of custody. A full MSC assessment will need to define the eligible points of landing. It is expected that the points of landing will be constrained to the local ports within the Coastal Rights Fishery area. It is assumed, in the context of this pre-assessment that no ports outside the area of the Coastal Right fishery would be eligible to accept landings. The system of scrutiny of landings made at these ports would be described in further detail at the time of a full MSC assessment. 5.3 Parties eligible to use the fishery certificate Only Japanese registered vessels operating within the Coastal Rights Fishery, and who are fully compliant with all the regulation in force within the fishery and with any additional voluntary measures which may be defined at the point (such as on-board Codes of Conduct or reporting) would be eligible to use any resulting full MSC certificate, following a successful full assessment.

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6. SUMMARY OF PRE-ASSESSMENT FINDINGS (ALL UOAS) 6.1 Key to likely scoring levels In order to view the detailed scores and justifications for each fishery use the following steps: • Identify the number of the relevant Unit of Assessment (UoA) in table 1 at the start of the of this report. • Refer to the table of contents at the start of the report to find the page number for the detailed scoring table for the particular UoA within report section 7. There will be 3 tables which relate to a single UoA (P1, P2, P3). In each of the scoring tables in report section 7, the following colour coding is used to denote the likely scoring level if a fishery were to be subject to a full MSC assessment, based on the status in the fishery at the time of this pre-assessment exercise and based on the information made available to the assessors. Definition of scoring ranges for PI outcome estimates Shading to be used Information suggests fishery is not likely to meet the SG60 scoring issues. Fail (<60) Information suggests fishery will reach SG60 but may not meet all of the scoring issues Pass with Condition at SG80. A condition may therefore be needed. (60-79) Information suggests fishery is likely to exceed SG80 resulting in an unconditional pass Pass for this PI. Fishery may meet one or more scoring issues at SG100 level. (≥80)

6.2 Key Findings • One fishery, for the Green Sea Urchin was out of scope of the MSC standard, so has not been scored. • Three UoAs scored all Performance Indicators (PI) at either the ‘pass’ (>80) or the ‘pass with Condition’ (60-79) level. These were for Deep Water Prawn – both Pot and Trawl – and Japanese Flounder caught by Hera-Biki. These fisheries therefore look best placed candidates for MSC assessment in the short-term. • However, these 3 UoAs did have a number of scores at the ‘pass with condition’ level. As a result, in preparation for full assessment some of these gaps should be addressed in order to boost the chances of a successful full MSC assessment. This applies in particular to Principle 2 of the prawn trawl UoA where 9 or the 15 Principle 2 PIs are scored at the ‘pass with condition’ level. • All remaining UOAs had at least 1 PI which is predicted to score at the ‘fail’ (<60) level. For 3 species – Blue fin tuna, North Pacific Giant Octopus and Pink Prawn the short coming related to Principle 1. The others related to short-comings in Principle 2. For these fisheries some work is required before the fishery could enter the MSC assessment process with a high level of confidence of a successful outcome. • Further details on the key findings for each of the 3 Principles is set out below.

6.2.1 Principle 1 • For deep-water shrimp, pink shrimp, giant octopus, and Japanese flounder, which have stock assessments and reference points (defined as low and high stock levels), a link between reference Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 51

points and MSY are required. Japan has an MSY policy, so it will be necessary to align reference points with this policy. • For Northern sea urchin, some sort of assessment of stock status will be required. This would most likely require an abundance index and appropriate reference points, but any type of assessment of status is possible as long as it can be justified. • Northern Pacific bluefin tuna is assessed for Principle 1 as a single stock across its range, and other fisheries, not just Japanese fisheries, are considered as part of the MSC assessment. Currently the stock will not be considered eligible for certification until it is rebuilt to above a reasonable point of recruitment impairment. • All fisheries will require a well-defined harvest control rule. Currently the main strategy appears to fix the exploitation rate for coastal fisheries. Apart from providing supporting evidence that current exploitation rates are not above FMSY, the HCR will also need to define a trigger reference point where this exploitation rate is reduced before the stock falls below the point of recruitment impairment (PRI). The PRI will need to be defined with the MSY point (default is 50% MSY). A HCR may be considered sufficiently well-defined if it can be included in forecasts and simulations. • The catch-at-age stock assessments (deep-water shrimp, pink shrimp, Japanese flounder) which are of high quality will require more explicit and formal assessments of uncertainty through, for example, sensitivity analyses and/or stochastic simulation (bootstrap, MCMC etc.). • All stock assessments and harvest strategies would benefit from independent external review. This would not only allow higher scores on certain performance indicators, but also provide independent evidence to the MSC assessors that the assumptions and methodologies are reasonable and appropriate.

6.2.2 Principle 2 • For assessing bycatch species (Primary and Secondary) the landings information was excellent. • A quantitative catch profile (quantities in weight of each species caught over ideally a 5-year period) is an important part of informing the MSC assessment, so this information should be obtained as accurately as possible. Catches includes discards and incidental mortality, so if any animal is discarded, dead or alive, it needs to be recorded. • A risk assessment conducted on a number of species which are not assessed would be useful, particularly vulnerable species such as rockfish (Sebastes sp.) and rays or sharks. • All fisheries would benefit from a clear bycatch management strategy, particularly for those fisheries with significant bycatch (shrimp and set net gears). Any strategy would seek to manage capture rates on bycatch and reduce unwanted catches through, for example, move on rules, closed areas and seasons and mesh size adjustments. • For ETP species, the main issue is lack of reporting of interactions. Although in many cases the likelihood of interaction appears to be low, improved evidence of this would improve scores. • For habitat an improved level of information is required for those fisheries which are likely to have a seabed impact. In these cases, information about both the condition, distribution and habitat trends is important along with information about the impact of the gear type on the habitats concerned. • In relation to the ecosystem impact, although scores were generally high it was identified that there was a paucity of information on the impacts of enhanced habitat on the ecosystem - in particular for bottom dwelling species - urchins and octopus.

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6.2.3 Principle 3 • Level 60 was met for all PIs in Principle 3. Therefore, none of the fisheries are predicted to directly fail a P3 assessment (although those with a high number of ‘pass with condition’ scores could still fail to meet the requisite overall score of 80 for the Principle. • Generally, the fisheries scored well on the PI related to high level governance, reflecting the robust legal system and the clears lines of responsibility. • Other areas of P3 which typically scored well were in relation to compliance and enforcement, where there was a recognition that the coastal rights nature of the fishery often engenders a sense of stewardship and collective responsibility in the management of the resource. The close oversight of the Fisheries Cooperative is a strength in this regard. • In relation to High Level Objectives, there was recognition that whilst there appear to be high level commitments to sustainability and the precautionary approach this is not fully implemented. The Fishery White Paper 2017 (part 2) reveals that government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach beginning with major commercial fisheries. This implies that further implementation of this is expected in the future. • Some gaps were also identified across many fisheries in relation to the fishery specific nature of management both in terms of the objectives (3.2.1) and the decision-making processes (3.2.2). This reflects the fact that the objectives and decision-making processes are not always explicit of formally codified, with reference to both precaution and sustainable targets. • The MSC does also for ‘informal or traditional’ approaches to management decision-making to be audited through a process of stakeholder consultation at the time of a full assessment in order to get a qualitative understanding of how non-formalised process may work. It may be that this approach would reveal the efficacy of the process even where not explicitly stated.

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6.3 Summary of likely PI scoring levels The table below summarises the result of the pre-assessment evaluation for each of the UoAs covered by this pre-assessment. A detailed justification of the of reasons behind the scores given is provided in the relevant table in section 7 of this report.

Unit of Assessment Principle 1 Principle 2 Principle 3

Stock status Stock rebuilding Harvest Strategy HCR & Tools &Info monitoring Assessment stockof status Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information Outcome Management Information & customaryLegal framework Consultation, roles & responsibilities termLong objectives Fisheryobjectives specific making Decision processes and enforcement Compliance evaluation performance Management

UoA UoA Number

1.1.2 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Species Gear 1.1.1 1 Deep water Prawn Pot 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 2 Trawl 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 3 Pink Prawn Pot 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 4 Trawl 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 5 Green Sea Urchin Hook Out of scope 6 Northern Sea Urchin Hook 60-79 NA 60-79 60-79 60-79 <60 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-100 7 Japanese Flounder Hera-biki 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 8 Sokodate 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 <60 <60 80-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 9 Gillnet 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-100 <60 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 10 Jigging 80-100 NA 80-100 60-79 80-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 <60 <60 80-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 11 North Pacific Giant Drift Barrel 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 12 Octopus Box Trap 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 13 Hook & Rope 80-100 NA 60-79 <60 60-79 60-79 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-100 <60 80-10080-100 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 80-100 60-79 14 Blue-fin Tuna Trolling <60 NA 80-100 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 <60 <60 80-10080-100 60-79 60-79 80-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-10080-100 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79 60-79

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7. DETAILED SCORING TABLES 7.1 Principle 1

UoA 1 & 2: Deep water prawn ホッコクアカエビ (Pandalus eous) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level The stock is determined to be at a medium level based on past average stock abundance. The relationship to MSY is not clear, Outcome 1.1.1 Stock status N 80-100 although the stock-recruit relationship suggests a trigger and (implicitly) a PRI, which the stock is above. Evidence linking the reference points to the MSY policy would be useful here.

1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A NA Rebuilding is not required for this stock. Apart from a lack of a well-defined HCR (see 1.2.2 below), the harvest strategy appears to be working. Elements of the harvest Harvest 1.2.1 N/A 80-100 strategy include various controls (effort limit, mesh size limits, closed areas and seasons), stock assessment and other processes Strategy applying sustainable management. There is no well-defined harvest control rule. The target SSB and fishing mortality rate are well defined, but the response as the

stock approaches its PRI is not. It is generally understood that available actions, such as further fishing effort restriction or the

1 Harvest control 1.2.2 N/A 60-75 introduction of a TAC, would be undertaken to reduce exploitation if the stock fell to a low level. Note that if no action is taken rules and tools on other stocks that have been determined to be at a low level, this interpretation might be undermined and the fishery might Management not be scored at 60 for this performance indicator. Principle Principle Information on species biology, stock structure, physical oceanography and other information, not currently all used in the stock Information and 1.2.3 N/A 80-100 assessment, is sufficient for the harvest strategy. Information on the fishery, stock and catches, particularly since 2012, has been monitoring very good, and would support further research and a wider range of stock assessment approaches than currently used. An age structured stock suitable for the available data, population and HCR is used. Currently generic reference points are Assessment of probably appropriate, but their link to the MSY based policy should be clarified further. Projections include uncertainty and 1.2.4 N/A 60-75 stock status alternative SR functions have been considered, but further evidence of stock assessment including main uncertainties might be required to secure a score of 80 or above.

Number of PIs less than 60 0

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UoA 3 & 4: Pink prawn トヤマエビ（ボタンエビ）(Pandalus hypsinotus) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level The stock is designated as being at a high level, so ostensibly meets the status performance indicator requirements to score 80 Outcome 1.1.1 Stock status N 80-100 or above. The main weakness is the lack of a link between the reference points used and MSY, which would likely be required as at least a condition under PIs 1.2.1 and 1.2.4.

1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A NA Components of the harvest strategy are implemented and consists of relevant controls, monitoring and evaluation. The link between the current harvest strategy and MSY (and an appropriate PRI) is missing, although it is clearly the intent to manage Harvest 1.2.1 N/A 60-79 the fishery to meet these criteria. Without the link, MSY might be expected to be maintained, but clear evidence is lacking, Strategy particularly considering the wide fluctuations in stock size. No simulations have been used to test the strategy, and recent advice suggests effort levels may still be too high. There is no clearly defined harvest control rule that will reduce exploitation rate as the stock falls to a low level. To evaluate this, we assume a low-level determination of the stock should result in an effort reduction. Although it is unclear that it was Harvest control required, no reduction took place in 2013/4. Therefore, while the fishery clearly applies a fixed exploitation rate, there is no 1.2.2 N/A <60 rules and tools evidence that it will reduce this as a point of recruitment impairment is approached. This could be achieved, for example, 1 through reducing the season length, but would also probably require more rapid assessment of stock status given the rapid Management population changes.

Principle Principle There is sufficient background information on stock biology, distribution, and fishery to support the harvest strategy. Information and Monitoring data is very good for this fishery and allows a VPA stock assessment, which requires complete catch-at-age data. 1.2.3 N/A 80-100 monitoring Although not used, catch and effort data could provide an abundance index. Otherwise abundance is inferred through catch and length compositions in the VPA, and this is sufficient to support the HCR. The tools appear effective in controlling the exploitation rate, which is the only requirement for the HCR. A stock assessment is carried out which is suitable for the stock, data and HCR, but explicitly doesn’t take account of some important features of the stock biology. The assessment evaluates the stock relative to generic reference points rather than Assessment of MSY or a PRI. There is no evidence that the assessment has taken into account uncertainty such as in sensitivity analyses, 1.2.4 N/A 60-79 stock status although statistical errors are accounted for in estimating various quantities. Probabilities are not reported in stock status determinations, so risk is not explicitly dealt with. The assessment has very likely been internally reviewed, but there is no evidence of an external review.

Number of PIs less than 60 1

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UoA no. 6: Northern sea urchin キタムラサキウニ (Strongylocentrotus nudus) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level The stock status is no known, although recent landings have remained stable. However, the switch during 1988-1991 from S. intermedius to S. nudus may well be due to environmental factors which has changed the productivity of the fisheries or competition between the species. However, this change could also be interpreted as a shift in reference points which the Outcome 1.1.1 Stock status N 60-79 management system may not have responded to, with the result that some urchin populations being chronically over-exploited during the last few decades. Therefore, further evidence of the state of urchin stocks relative to internationally recognised reference points (i.e. MSY) would likely be required to meet MSC standards.

1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A Currently, the harvest strategy is expected to achieve long term sustainable yields and it can be argued the different components (MLS, closed seasons, areas, habitat enhancement etc.) are likely to work. However, overall evidence for the overall HS working to achieve MSY is very limited, so the fishery will struggle to meet SG80 without more formal evaluation of the fishery’s performance. Harvest 1.2.1 N/A 60-79 Strategy A primary problem is that with no over-arching evaluation of fishery performance, it will be difficult to show the harvest strategy,

which revolves around individual FCAs, meets MSC criteria. For example, some justification is required to explain the wide

1 differences among FCAs with the fishing controls that they apply, and to provide evidence that some of these FCAs are not applying an unsustainable harvest strategy supported by others which are more precautionary. The evidence for long term sustainability has been undermined somewhat by the regime shift in landings 1988-91.

Principle Principle The current HCR has set exploitation levels by area based on local assessments of the stock status (density, growth stage etc.). Management There is an expectation that FCAs will respond if overexploitation is detected and the stocks are put at risk, but what controls Harvest control 1.2.2 N/A 60-79 might be applied in this case is unclear and could vary from FCA to FCA. A number of tools are available, including the adjustment rules and tools of MLS, closed seasons and closed areas. This would probably meet the SG60, but without a plan defining exactly what action would be taken when, the fisheries will struggle to meet SG80. There is a good understanding of the stock biology, fisheries and similar information for developing the harvest strategy. As a result, local strategies for maintaining stocks at current levels seem well-developed. Information and 1.2.3 N/A 60-79 monitoring The is no centralised recording of data and data generally seem insufficient to carry out a stock assessment. For example, we have not seen any indices of abundance, although data may be sufficient to generate these from local information that perhaps has not be compiled into a form for stock assessment. There is no evidence of stock assessment relative to reference points. While this does not necessarily mean the fishery cannot Assessment of 1.2.4 N/A <60 be sustainable, it does mean that, as it stands, it will be difficult to audit the fishery so as to assess whether it is sustainable or stock status not. Some sort of formal stock assessment would likely be required before full assessment could be undertaken.

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RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level

Number of PIs less than 60 1

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UoA 7, 8, 9 & 10: Japanese Flounder ヒラメ (Paralichthys olivaceus) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level The stock is described at medium level, around the target biomass, which should meet the SG80 if the target reference point Outcome 1.1.1 Stock status N 80-100 can be shown to be consistent with MSY. Explicit evidence has not been provided even though this is part of the general fisheries policy.

1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A NA The stock is not below its putative MSY point, so no rebuilding is required. The harvest strategy primarily consists of a capacity limit, minimum size and restocking programme. There is a feedback system Harvest that shows these are working together to achieve the fishery objectives, and there is some evidence to show this is the case. 1.2.1 N/A 80-100 Strategy Although further evidence that the objectives are consistent with the MSY policy would be necessary, the PI is likely to meet SG80 at least. The harvest control is set out as general aims, with tools to reduce harvest available if required. This meets the SG60. However, Harvest control no there is no well-defined HCR in place and no clear procedure proposed to reduce harvest when it might be required. Without

1.2.2 N/A 60-80

1 rules and tools a well-defined HCR with evidence that it will, under most circumstances, maintain stocks around the MSY level, the SG80 will not be met. Management A significant amount of information is available on the biology, stock, oceanographic conditions and fleets. In particular, the Principle Principle Information and restocking programme has led to considerable information on the growth, mortality, life history and ecology of the species, so 1.2.3 N/A 80-100 monitoring a higher score might be expected. One issue may need to be addressed in greater detail is the available abundance indices used to monitor the stock.

The stock is assessed using a VPA model. The approach has been widely used and is robust as long as data are sufficiently reliable, making it appropriate. The method used to tune the model is not clear, but information should be sufficient to obtain Assessment of reliable population size estimate, which can be compared to past population sizes. The assessment summary is produced in an 1.2.4 N/A 60-80 stock status official report from the research institute and therefore has likely been put through internal review, but there was no evidence of external review. However, the reference point is generic (based only on average past abundance) and is not well justified. There is no evidence that uncertainties have been addressed, either estimated statistically or through sensitivity analyses.

Number of PIs less than 60 0

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UoA 11, 12 & 13: North Pacific giant octopus ミズダコ (Octopus (Enteroctopus) dofleini) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level The stock overall is considered medium level. We interpret this as the stock is overall around MSY, although this link will need Outcome 1.1.1 Stock status N 80-100 to be established more formally (see below).

1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A NA The harvest strategy appears incomplete. It is primarily centred on maintaining the current exploitation rate, but interventions to achieve this are limited. The minimum sizes should help achieve higher sustainable yields, but implementation is clearly Harvest patchy. One of the criteria is that the harvest strategy is “expected” to achieve MSY. This is arguably true in this case, but there 1.2.1 N/A 60-79 Strategy is no evidence that the Harvest Strategy is responsive to determinations of stock status, or that management and science are working together to achieve objectives for the different management units. Monitoring of the harvest is taking place, but no review has been carried out. There is no well-defined harvest control rule consistent with MSC requirements. MSC requires that the HCR should exploitation Harvest control

1.2.2 N/A <60 as the PRI is approached. The current HCR objective appears to be to maintain a fixed exploitation rate. There is no TAC. If a 1 rules and tools reduction in harvest was required, it is unclear how this will be achieved. Management As for other Japanese fisheries, catches appear well recorded and there is good background biological information on the stock

Principle Principle and vessels. It is unclear how much information on the fishing activity as this appears to vary from area to area. Information and 1.2.3 N/A 60-79 For some areas, there is a reasonable CPUE based abundance index for the population, but for most of the areas, the indicator monitoring is based on catch which can go up or down to reasons other than abundance change. While a few appear well monitored, it is not clear that all assessment areas are sufficiently well monitored to implement an HCR which would seek to manage these 11 areas as separate units. The was no model based assessment, but monitoring indices were calculated for each area and compared to generic reference Assessment of points. Major uncertainties were considered, but there was no formal assessment of risks and uncertainty in the assessment. 1.2.4 N/A 60-79 stock status There was no evidence of external review, but as an official release from the responsible research agency, the assessment would have been internally reviewed.

Number of PIs less than 60 1

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UoA 14: Bluefin tuna クロマグロ (Thunnus orientalis) RBF Likely Performance Component PI (y/n scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator ) level 1.1.1 Stock status N <60 The stock is currently estimated as being well below any appropriate PRI. It is not appropriate to score rebuilding if the stock is below its PRI. However, it is worth noting that the current rebuilding plan may not result in Pacific bluefin being able to enter into assessment in the near term. The WCPFC CMM-2014-04 indicates parties Outcome “shall implement a provisional Multi-Annual Rebuilding Plan for Pacific bluefin tuna starting in 2015, with the initial goal of rebuilding the SSB to the historical median (42,592t) within 10 years with at least 60% probability.” Although this would 1.1.2 Stock rebuilding N/A NA represent an approximate 2.5 times increase on the 2014 stock status, it would only be 6.5% unexploited SSB, which is still well below a default PRI of 20% unexploited stock. The implication is that the initial rebuilding phase may still not allow the stock to enter MSC assessment. However, during rebuilding information available to the stock assessment will likely improve enormously, and this could lead to a more optimistic evaluation and faster rebuilding as occurred with Atlantic bluefin tuna. The current harvest strategy has not been tested, but there is some evidence of improvement and various parts of the harvest strategy are beginning to work together to rebuild the stock, if implemented and improved as stated in WCPFC CMM 2014-04. Harvest Monitoring is in place to check whether the rebuilding plan is succeeding. The harvest strategy is being reviewed, but it is too 1.2.1 N/A 80-100

Strategy early to tell whether it is being improved as necessary, primarily because it requires good implementation by the parties 1 concerned. Evidence that Japan is setting and enforcing appropriate quotas for its fisheries would help secure higher scoring here.

Principle Principle No well-defined HCR has been implemented yet, but action is being taken with a clear target exploitation level being set. There Harvest control Management 1.2.2 N/A 60-75 is a clear statement of intent, but fisheries will need to show that the tools they are using to limit harvest to rebuilding levels is rules and tools in place, appropriate and effective.

Information on the stock, through tagging, genetic and other biological studies are sufficient to support the harvest strategy. Information and Catches and other are sufficient for the harvest control rule. Uncertainties in the data are well understood. Catches are well 1.2.3 N/A 80-100 monitoring recorded, and significantly better than for tropical tunas. Data are not complete however, as tagging and age data are limited (for example, growth cannot be estimated within the stock assessment model). The stock assessment is appropriate for the stock and harvest control, uses all available data and takes uncertainty into account Assessment of 1.2.4 N/A 80-100 through estimating errors and exploring various assumptions in different sensitivity analyses. The stock assessment is internally stock status (in the working group) and has been externally reviewed.

Number of PIs less than 60 1

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7.2 Principle 2

UoA 1 & 3: Prawn Pot Fishery Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level The fishery has significant bycatch, but species considered having a low status are minor. This suggests that the fishery should reach 2.1.1 Outcome No 60-79 SG80 but may struggle to score higher. Of greater concern may be the bait species which appear to be sourced from overfished primary species. Further evidence is required to show sourcing bait is not detrimental to the species concerned. Primary Although measures exist (e.g. pot mesh size limit), bycatch and bait use are significant in this fishery and it is not clear the fishery Species 2.1.2 Management N/A 60-79 has any sort of strategy to reduce unwanted bycatch or manage bait sourcing. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. The fishery has significant bycatch, but the only main species is highly productive. This suggests that the fishery should reach at least 2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 SG80 and may score higher dependent on the status scores of the minor species. Although measures exist (e.g. pot mesh size limit), bycatch is significant in this fishery and it is not clear the fishery has any sort of

Secondary

2 2.2.2 Management N/A 60-79 strategy to reduce unwanted bycatch or manage bait sourcing. Note that if discarding is significant for main species and ways to species reduce this is not reviewed by management, the fishery will fail 2.2.2e. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the secondary species.

Principle Principle 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100 However, without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The static nature of these fisheries means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened ETP fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create species a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery).

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level There is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; There is no recorded /quantitative information Nevertheless, fishery 2.3.3 Information N/A 80-100 related mortality can be qualitatively estimated to be negligible, and the information available is adequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species. The fisheries are highly unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function to a point where there would be serious or irreversible harm. Pots are passive gear types that rely on bait to attract the target species. Although pot fisheries are generally considered to 2.4.1 Outcome No 60-79 have slight impacts on the habitat, pots can impact biogenic structures (e.g. sponges, corals) through crushing or entanglement e.g. if pots are dragged across the bottom during retrieval or during periods of strong current. The pots are set on the bottom with a maximum of 2000 pots –i.e. 5 lines of 200 pots. The pots are lifted each day, prawns collected, Habitats 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 pots re-baited and lowered back to the bottom. The lowering and raising of the pots is likely to cause minimal impact. The lines and anchors once deployed, are likely to be left in place for some time unless repairs or remedial action is required. The bottom habitat is sand and mud and is flat. Habitat surveys have taken place outside the fished area but not inside. The fishing 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 area is not considered as a VME area. Whilst it is likely that there are no major habitat impacts there is no specific evidence derived from a habitat specific study nor any known monitoring programme to detect any increase in risk to the habitat The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services.

2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of prawn on the abundance of plankton in the UoA has not been studied but is insignificant compared to that of large- scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina), which have the potential to affect phytoplankton abundance and subsequently prawn reproductive success. Thus, it seems that prawns are affected by plankton abundance in the ecosystem, rather than having a measurable effect on plankton abundance. Ecosystem The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number of pots. These measures comprise a partial strategy The Research Centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. Studies have been 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 done on predator prey relationships. There is also sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 2 & 4: Prawn Trawl Fishery Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level The fishery has significant bycatch. Of the main species, Pacific herring are considered at a low level. Catches of this species are low in this gear, so it is unlikely that this fishery is hindering recovery. Nevertheless, evidence for this within the wider context of 2.1.1 Outcome No 60-79 managing the rebuilding of Pacific herring will be required to meet SG80. Otherwise some minor species are considered at medium or high level which will allow the fishery to potentially score above 80 on status outcome. Primary Species Although measures exist (e.g. mesh size and fishing capacity controls), bycatch is significant in this fishery and it is not clear the 2.1.2 Management N/A 60-79 fishery has any sort of strategy to reduce unwanted bycatch. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. The fishery has significant bycatch, and the main species is may have low productivity. This suggests that the fishery may struggle 2.2.1 Outcome Yes 60-79 to reach SG80 without more evidence on the status of slime flounder. Although measures exist (e.g. mesh size and fishing capacity controls), bycatch is significant in this fishery and it is not clear the Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 60-79 fishery has any sort of strategy to reduce unwanted bycatch. Note that if discarding is significant for main species and ways to reduce species

this is not reviewed by management, the fishery will fail 2.2.2e. 2 All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the secondary species. 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100

However, without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. Principle Principle The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species.

2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 These UoA fisheries are mobile, but the gear design is such that large animals are highly unlikely to be captured in the fishery, or come into contact with the gear. It appears possible that a small number of bird and fish species may interact indirectly with the gear, but this risk is thought to be very low. Information provided during the site visit indicates that no ETP species are encountered by the fishery or affected either directly or indirectly. ETP species Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create 2.3.2 Management N/A 60-79 a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information about the vulnerability of the species concerned. Although ETP species haven’t been sighted near the fished areas there is no strategy in place should there be a capture or an encounter.

2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 It appears that information is gathered by the cooperatives and the HRO which is sufficient to determine that there is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; however, given that these trawl gear could potentially interact with ETP species, the rather

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level patchy nature of this information does not enable quantitative estimates of impacts or mortality of ETP species, nor would it enable trends to be measured if this gear did encounter ETP species There was no evidence that skippers are required to report ETP species interactions on e.g. logbooks. The trawls used have the potential to adversely affect seabed habitats. However, the fishing area is very specifically defined and trawling for prawns is limited to the licensed areas around the coast. There are only a few vessels involved. The impact of the fishery 2.4.1 Outcome No 60-79 on benthic habitats is therefore limited in area. However, it is not known, as no evidence was sighted, to show that the trawl gear does not cause irreversible harm to the habitat structure or function Only a small number of vessels are licenced to fish using an otter type trawl. The fisher uses a GPS to find the prawn then specifically Habitats targets by lowering the trawl and trawling for approximately one hour before pulling it up. The trawlers do not operate in VME 2.4.2 Management N/A 60-79 areas. Although measures exist it is not clear that there is a strategy in place to ensure it is highly unlikely that the UoAs do not cause serious or irreversible harm to the habitat structure or function Good broad level information is known about the nature and distribution of the main habitats in the fishing area however no 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 information has been evidenced as to what effect the trawling has on the fished area habitat. The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services.

2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of prawn on the abundance of plankton in the UoA has not been studied but is insignificant compared to that of large- scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina), which have the potential to affect phytoplankton abundance and subsequently prawn reproductive success. Thus, it seems that prawns are affected by plankton abundance in the ecosystem, rather than having a measurable effect on plankton abundance. Ecosystem The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number of licences. These measures comprise a partial strategy The Research Centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 5 & 6: Sea Urchin Hook Fishery Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 The fishery reports very low bycatch, so status should score very high.

Primary 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 The gear used and the fishing technique is very specific to target sea urchins, so the management strategy should score high. Species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100.

2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 The fishery reports no bycatch, so status should score very high unless removals of other unreported species is high (see below).

The gear used and the fishing technique used are very specific to target sea urchins, so the management strategy should score high. Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 80-100 However, if removals of urchin predators is substantial (>5% of landings; see 2.2.3) and it is not managed, this performance indicator species could score less than 80. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the secondary species.

2.2.3 Information N/A 60-79 However, without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. In addition, the fishery reports selective 2 removals of sea urchin predators which would need to be assessed and for which there is currently no data. The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is Principle Principle 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The use of a hand-held pole with hooks means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information ETP 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. species The UoAs have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery). There is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species nor is there likely to be any; There is no recorded /quantitative information Nevertheless, fishery related mortality can be qualitatively estimated to be negligible, and the information available is 2.3.3 Information N/A 80-100 adequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species.

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level Sea urchins are caught from a small open fishing vessel, operated by a single fisher using a 3-pronged hooking pole. The fishers use 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 a viewing scope to look below the surface, so diving is not necessary (or permitted). The fishery takes place in relatively shallow water. The impact on the bottom is negligible. The strategy is to hook the urchins without Habitats 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 disturbing the bottom. Much of the fishing area is in an enhanced habitat. The assessment team have seen little detail in relation to this. This would be 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 subject to fuller scrutiny at a future full MSC assessment. The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of urchin on ecosystem components is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina) The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing areas and the gear used. The urchins from the hatchery appear to be placed back in the environment in artificial reef areas. There Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A 60-79 is also translocations onto Laminaria beds. There does not appear to be a management strategy in place to take into account the impacts on the ecosystem The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. The habitat is 2.5.3 Information N/A 60-79 likely to be enhanced (artificial reef). There is not sufficient information for this UoA to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 7: Japanese Flounder Hera– biki (Trolling) Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 With no main species other than the P1 species, the status should score highly.

With low bycatch levels, the current management strategy, using troll gear, demonstrably achieving objectives in avoiding Primary 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 overexploitation of non-target species. However, with no explicit strategy in place to reduce bycatch, the fishery may struggle to Species score above 80. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information of the impact of the fishery on the primary species. For 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 primary species, overall impact is monitored stock assessment, which implies good information is available across all species. With no main secondary species, the status should score highly. With evidence for negligible discarding, the fishery should score 2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 well for these species. RBF would not be necessary unless scoring for minor species is desired. As for 2.1.2 above, with low bycatch levels, the management strategy is demonstrably achieving objectives in avoiding Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 80-100 overexploitation of non-target species. However, with no explicit strategy in place to reduce bycatch, the fishery may struggle to species

score above 80.

2 With good quantitative landings data and other biological information about the species concerned, information should be adequate 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100 for risk assessment, particularly given the low bycatch levels.

The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is Principle Principle 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The nature of the fishing methods used means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information ETP 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. species The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery). It appears that information is gathered by the cooperatives and the HRO which is sufficient to determine that there is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; however, given that this gear could potentially interact with ETP species, the rather patchy 2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 nature of this information does not enable quantitative estimates of impacts or mortality of ETP species, nor would it enable trends to be measured if this gear did encounter ETP species

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level There was no evidence that skippers are required to report ETP species interactions on e.g. logbooks.

Hera-biki is a type of trolling used to target Japanese Flounder. The fishery takes place in 20-30m over sandy ground. A single line is towed behind a vessel at a speed of 2-3 knots. A small vane is connected in-line, which causes the line to dive to an appropriate 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 depth. Behind the vane a hooked lure is used to attract the fish (no bait is required). The hera -biki fishery operates in surface waters in the open ocean, hence there is minimal risk that the gear will contact the seabed. The UoAs are conducted in specific areas and habitat impact is considered negligible. Habitats The strategy in place for managing impacts on habitat is operational – the troll fishery operates entirely at the surface in deep, 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 oceanic water. The fishery does not contact the seabed and any pelagic habitat impacts will be imperceptible and highly transient. The jig fishery also operates in such a way that the contact with the bottom is minimal.

2.4.3 Information N/A 80-100 Good broad level information is known about the nature and distribution of the main habitats in the fishing area

The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of flounder on the key ecosystem elements in the UoA is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina)

Ecosystem The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. The Research Centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is also sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 8: Japanese Flounder Sokodate Set Net Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level There are two (brown sole and globefish) main species considered having low status. In at least one stock in each case the stock size 2.1.1 Outcome No <60 is continuing to decrease, implying management intervention is required. Therefore, the fishery will have to show it is complying with the rebuilding programme in each case. Without a clear strategy, the fishery will struggle to meet SG60. Primary With overexploited stocks making up some of the bycatch, the fishery will need to show at least it has measures in place to reduce Species 2.1.2 Management N/A <60 and/or control bycatch of vulnerable species. The fishery does not at present employ any specific measures. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. For 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 primary species, overall impact is monitored stock assessment, which implies good information is available across all species. With one main species (stone flounder), the score 80 could be achieved given the flounder is similar in productivity and susceptibility 2.2.1 Outcome Yes 60-79 to the target species which is not overexploited. However, for secondary species in RBF, it is difficult to achieve the “highly likely” status requirement, and without a demonstrably effective partial strategy to control bycatch, the fishery may get a condition. Secondary As for 2.1.2 above, without some sort of strategy to control bycatch low bycatch levels, the gear is not demonstrably achieving species 2.2.2 Management N/A 60-79 objectives in avoiding overexploitation of non-target species. In this case however, it is less likely stone flounder will be determined

as overfished compared to the primary species. 2 With good quantitative landings data and other biological information about the species concerned, information should be adequate 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100

for risk assessment, particularly given the low bycatch levels. Principle Principle The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The UoA fisheries are static, but the gear design is 2.3.1 Outcome No such that large animals (ETP species) could be captured in the fishery, or come into contact with the gear. Information provided 80-100 during the site visit indicates that no ETP species are encountered by the fishery or affected either directly or indirectly. ETP species Although ETP species haven’t been sighted near the fished areas there is no strategy in place should there be a capture or an 2.3.2 Management N/A 60-79 encounter. Although information re sightings is expected to be conveyed to the Fisheries Co-operative there does not appear to be a formal 2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 requirement for this to happen e.g. logbooks with ETP species. Sokodate- this involves a fixed set net to trap live fish – Although the structure is large, the set net position remains in the same 2.4.1 Outcome No 60-79 place. There will be an impact on the bottom and it is not known if this will cause serious or irreversible harm to the habitat. Habitats The Sokodate gear is limited in location and size of structure. Apart from this there does not appear to be a strategy in place to 2.4.2 Management N/A 60-79 ensure the UoA does not pose a risk to habitat structure or function

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 Although there are broad scale studies there are no (known) studies of the habitat impacted by the Sokodate gear. The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. The effect of flounder on the key 2.5.1 Outcome No ecosystem elements in the UoA is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El 80-100 Nino and La Nina) The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential 80-100 effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number licences The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is also 80-100 sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 2

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UoA 9: Japanese Flounder Gillnet Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level The only primary main species is North Pacific giant octopus, which is considered overall having medium status (although some 2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 stock components are low). This is likely to be sufficient to meet SG80. In addition, some minor primary species are also considered around their medium level, so scoring a little above 80 may be possible. Primary While there is a strategy in place to manage the main species (octopus), it is not clear how effective this is given some components Species 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 are designated at a low level. It may be necessary to determine how this gear affects the status of the octopus stock components to ensure SG80 is met. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. For 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 primary species, overall impact is monitored stock assessment, which implies good information is available across all species. There are four main secondary species, including 3 which have a very low productivity. For secondary species in RBF, it is difficult to achieve the “likely” status requirement for low productivity species, and without a demonstrably effective partial strategy to control 2.2.1 Outcome Yes <60 bycatch, the fishery would get a condition. In this case, it is likely further evidence on the status of these vulnerable stocks is required to meet SG60. Secondary species Without some sort of strategy to control bycatch low bycatch levels, the gear is not demonstrably achieving objectives in avoiding 2.2.2 Management N/A <60 2 overexploitation of non-target species, some of which appear vulnerable. With good quantitative landings data and other biological information about the species concerned, information should be adequate 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100

for risk assessment, particularly given the low bycatch levels. Principle Principle The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The UoA fisheries are static, but the gear design is 2.3.1 Outcome No such that large animals (ETP species) could be captured in the fishery, or come into contact with the gear. Information provided 80-100 during the site visit indicates that no ETP species are encountered by the fishery or affected either directly or indirectly. ETP species Although ETP species haven’t been sighted near the fished areas there is no strategy in place should there be a capture or an 2.3.2 Management N/A 60-79 encounter. Although information re sightings is expected to be conveyed to the Fisheries Co-operative there does not appear to be a formal 2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 requirement for this to happen e.g. logbooks with ETP species. Gillnet Fishing using static gear with anchors holding the net on the bottom. Bottom set gill nets have very little impact on the 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 habitat compared to mobile gear (Jennings & Kaiser 1998) Habitats The gillnets are anchored and the majority of the net does not have contact with the bottom. There are restrictions on the number 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 of gillnets. This could be considered a partial strategy

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level Although there are broad scale studies there are no (known) studies of the habitat impacted by the gillnet. There is also no data 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 (provided) on e.g. lost gill nets that could impact on the habitat The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. The effect of flounder on the key 2.5.1 Outcome No ecosystem elements in the UoA is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El 80-100 Nino and La Nina) The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential 80-100 effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number licences The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is also 80-100 sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 2

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UoA 10: Japanese Flounder Jigging Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level According to the landings data provided, the only primary main species is North Pacific bluefin tuna for the flounder jig. While bluefin 2.1.1 Outcome No tuna is most likely below its PRI, as long as catches are within the designated TAC set for rebuilding, the fishery might be expected 60-79 not to prevent rebuilding, meeting SG60. Minor species should not prevent higher scores than 80. Primary There is a strategy in place to manage the main primary species. For the bluefin tuna, it is not clear how effective this will be until 2.1.2 Management N/A Species 60-79 rebuilding can be demonstrated. At least one of the minor species has also demonstrably effective harvest strategy. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. For 2.1.3 Information N/A primary species, overall impact is monitored stock assessment, which implies good information is available across all species. Bait 80-100 is assumed to be a minor species, but in full assessment details of quantities of bait used and their source will need to be provided. There are three main secondary species, all of which have a very low productivity. For secondary species in RBF, it is difficult to achieve the “likely” status requirement for low productivity species, and without a demonstrably effective partial strategy to control 2.2.1 Outcome Yes bycatch, the fishery would get at the very least a condition. Further evidence on the status of these vulnerable stocks is required to <60 meet SG60. Secondary

species Without some sort of strategy to control bycatch low bycatch levels, the gear is not demonstrably achieving objectives in avoiding 2 2.2.2 Management N/A <60 overexploitation of non-target species, some of which appear vulnerable. With good quantitative landings data and other biological information about the species concerned, information should be adequate 2.2.3 Information N/A Principle Principle 80-100 for risk assessment. The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The nature of the fishing methods used means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create ETP a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information species 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery).

2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 It appears that information is gathered by the cooperatives and the HRO which is sufficient to determine that there is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; however, given that thi gear could potentially interact with ETP species, the rather patchy

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level nature of this information does not enable quantitative estimates of impacts or mortality of ETP species, nor would it enable trends to be measured if this gear did encounter ETP species There was no evidence that skippers are required to report ETP species interactions on e.g. logbooks. Jigging takes place in 20-30m over sandy ground. Around 5 hooked lures are placed on a line. Jigs are intended to create a jerky, 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 vertical motion; the flounder are attracted to the lure. The jigger uses a rod, which is good for feeling a strike. There is minimal contact with the bottom. The UoAs are conducted in specific areas and habitat impact is considered negligible. The strategy in place for managing impacts on habitat is operational – the troll fishery operates entirely at the surface in deep, Habitats 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 oceanic water. The fishery does not contact the seabed and any pelagic habitat impacts will be imperceptible and highly transient. The jig fishery also operates in such a way that the contact with the bottom is minimal.

2.4.3 Information N/A 80-100 Good broad level information is known about the nature and distribution of the main habitats in the fishing area

The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of flounder on the key ecosystem elements in the UoA is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina)

Ecosystem The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. The Research Centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is also sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 2

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UoA 11: Octopus Drift Barrel Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 The fishery reports no bycatch, so status should score very high.

Primary 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 The drift barrel gear is very specific for targeting octopus, so the management strategy should score high. Species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. Bait is assumed to be a minor species, but in full assessment details of quantities of bait used and their source will need to be provided.

2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 The fishery reports no bycatch, so status should score very high.

Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 80-100 The gear strategy is very specific to target octopus, so management should score high. species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100 2 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. Principle Principle 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 The nature of these fisheries and the gear used – barrels-means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create ETP a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information species 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery). There is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; There is no recorded /quantitative information Nevertheless, fishery 2.3.3 Information N/A 80-100 related mortality can be qualitatively estimated to be negligible, and the information available is adequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species.

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level The gear configuration consists of a baited lure, which is suspended below an inverted plastic basket. The fishery uses the tidal flow to allow the bait to drag just above the seabed. The behavioural characteristics of the octopus mean that it will attach itself to the 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 bait. The fishers can see from the movement of the basket at the surface whether there is an octopus attached to the bait. When an octopus is holding on to the bait the fisher returns to the line and hauls it is unlikely that this UoA will cause serious or irreversible harm to the habitat Habitats The barrels are lifted each day and octopus are collected and the gear is lowered back to the water. The lines and anchors, once 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 deployed, are likely to be left in place for some time unless repairs or remedial action is required. This could be considered a partial strategy.

2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 Fishing occurs over a rocky habitat. There is no information of impacts of lost gear

The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity / richness, trophic food webs (including top predators) and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of the octopus fishery on the ecosystem is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina). The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. These measures comprise a partial strategy The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. The habitat is 2.5.3 Information N/A 60-79 likely to be enhanced (artificial reef). There is not sufficient information for this UoA to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 12: Octopus Box Trap Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 The fishery reports very low bycatch, so status should score very high.

Primary 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 The gear strategy is very specific to target octopus, so management should score high. Species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100.

2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 The fishery reports very low bycatch, so status should score very high.

Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 80-100 The gear strategy is very specific to target octopus, so management should score high. species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100

without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100.

2 The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 The nature of these fisheries and the gear used – boxes -means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to Principle Principle ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create ETP a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information species 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery). There is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; There is no recorded /quantitative information Nevertheless, fishery 2.3.3 Information N/A 80-100 related mortality can be qualitatively estimated to be negligible, and the information available is adequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species. The fishing method relies on octopus liking dark places to crawl into. The octopus boxes are tied together with a rope attached to Habitats 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 an anchored line. These boxes are on the seabed.

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level If fishermen are fishing using only boxes they can have 3000 boxes. There are 60 boxes on one line. If using other methods there is 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 a limit of 2000 boxes. The boxes are lifted each day octopus collected and gear lowered back to the water. The lines and anchors, once deployed, are likely to be left in place for some time unless repairs or remedial action is required. There is no information to allow for identification of main impacts of this fishing method on the habitat and no information on lost 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 gear The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity / richness, trophic food webs (including top predators) and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of the octopus fishery on the ecosystem is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina). The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number of boxes. These measures comprise a partial strategy The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. The habitat is 2.5.3 Information N/A 60-79 likely to be enhanced ( artificial reef) .There is not sufficient information for this UoA to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 13: Octopus Hook & Rope Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level

2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 The fishery reports very low bycatch, so ostensibly status should score high.

The gear used and the fishing technique could have unrecorded impact on primary species. Japanese flounder was recorded in the 2.1.2 Management N/A 80-100 landings, but it is unclear whether other flounder might be caught. However, Japanese flounder and chestnut octopus are highly Primary likely to be above biologically based limits. Species All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. However, without at sea observation of the fishery, information may not meet SG100. More importantly, the nature of the gear implies that 2.1.3 Information N/A 60-79 it is highly likely that there is unrecorded mortality. Because quantitative information is not available, the fishery would be unlikely to score 80. The fishery reports little bycatch, so ostensibly status should score high. However, unrecorded mortality may be significant for this 2.2.1 Outcome Yes 80-100 gear. The gear used and the fishing technique could have unrecorded impact on secondary species. Based on landings information no

Secondary 2.2.2 Management N/A 80-100 management action is required, but with significant risks of unrecorded mortality, when information is obtained (see 2.2.3), a 2 species management strategy may need to be formulated in response. All landings are well recorded, but in this case, because the gear is left unattended for long periods, the unrecorded mortality of

Principle Principle 2.2.3 Information N/A <60 some species may be high. Evidence on the level of this mortality would be required for full assessment. The only secondary species landed is vulnerable and could indicate high risk in RBF even though landings are low. The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 The nature of these fisheries and the gear used – unbaited hooks -means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species.

ETP Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened species fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information 2.3.2 Management N/A 80-100 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. The UoAs appear to have little or no impact on any ETP species, and there is thus a high degree of confidence that the management strategy will work and there is clear evidence that it is being implemented successfully through a combination of formal regulations and the inherent nature of the fishery (in terms of its restricted location and practices within the fishery).

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level Although there is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species because the gear is left unattended for long periods, the 2.3.3 Information N/A <60 unrecorded mortality of some species may be difficult to accurately estimate meaning that information is inadequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species. The fishery typically occurs in water depths between 50-300 meters over sand and rock seabed sediments. A long line of unbaited square stainless-steel hooks is suspended just above the seabed. The position of the line is maintained by anchors at either end and 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 at intervals which have contact with the seabed. The longline does not have contact with the seabed so there is unlikely to be serious or irreversible harm to the habitat. Habitats The management measures include that it is a seasonal fishery, the length of line and number of hooks used. However, the lines are 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 only hauled every 15-20 days. The bottom habitat is sand and mud and rock. Good broad level information is known about the nature and distribution of the main 2.4.3 Information N/A 60-79 habitats in the fishing area but there is no information on lost gear The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements considered within these are species diversity / richness, trophic food webs (including top predators) and ecosystem services. 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 The effect of the octopus fishery on the ecosystem is likely to be insignificant compared to that of large-scale environmental perturbations (such as El Nino and La Nina).

Ecosystem The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the constraint on the extent and location of fishing 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the sea area around Hokkaido, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. There is also a limit on the number of boxes. These measures comprise a partial strategy The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is also sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area

Number of PIs less than 60: 2

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UoA 14: Blue fin Tuna Trolling Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level According to the landings data provided, the only primary main species is Japanese flounder for the bluefin tuna troll. Japanese 2.1.1 Outcome No 80-100 flounder is at medium level for this stock, so stock is well above its PRI. Minor species should not prevent higher scores than 80. Primary There is a strategy in place to manage the main primary species. For Japanese flounder the strategy has been demonstrably effective. 2.1.2 Management N/A Species 80-100 At least one of the minor species has also demonstrably effective harvest strategy. All landings are well recorded, which is a primary source of information on the impact of the fishery on the primary species. For 2.1.3 Information N/A 80-100 primary species, overall impact is monitored stock assessment, which implies good information is available across all species. There are three main secondary species, all of which have a very low productivity. For secondary species in RBF, it is difficult to achieve the “likely” status requirement for low productivity species, and without a demonstrably effective partial strategy to control 2.2.1 Outcome Yes bycatch, the fishery would get at the very least a condition. Further evidence on the status of these vulnerable stocks is required to <60 meet SG60. Secondary species Without some sort of strategy to control bycatch low bycatch levels, the gear is not demonstrably achieving objectives in avoiding 2.2.2 Management N/A

<60 overexploitation of non-target species, some of which appear vulnerable.

2 With good quantitative landings data and other biological information about the species concerned, information should be adequate 2.2.3 Information N/A 80-100 for risk assessment.

Principle Principle The Japanese Government has a programme to protect and manage endangered mammals, birds, fish and plant species. There is 2.3.1 Outcome No 80-100 no indication that these fisheries are considered threats to the listed species. The nature of the fishing methods used means that it is highly unlikely to create unacceptable, direct impacts to ETP species. Japan accepted the application of CITES and implemented its requirements in 1980. At the domestic level, the red list of threatened fishes of Japan and the red list of threatened birds of Japan, along with the Fisheries Agency “Data book on scarce aquatics” create a strategy for protecting ETP species that is compliant with national and international requirements, and is based on information ETP 2.3.2 Management N/A 60-79 about the vulnerability of the species concerned. species Although ETP species haven’t been sighted near the fished areas there is no strategy in place should there be a capture or an encounter. There is no evidence of adverse interactions with ETP species; The fishing methods employed mean that there is unlikely to be any interactions with ETP species. There is no recorded /quantitative information Nevertheless, fishery related mortality can be 2.3.3 Information N/A 60-79 qualitatively estimated to be negligible, and the information available is adequate to broadly understand the level of impact, and to support measures (if they were necessary) to manage impacts on ETP species.

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Likely Compon Performanc RBF PI scoring Rationale/ Key points ent e Indicator (y/n) level The troll fishery operates in surface waters in the open ocean; hence there is minimal risk that the fishery will contact the seabed. 2.4.1 Outcome No 80-100 The UoAs are conducted in specific areas and habitat impact is considered negligible The strategy in place for managing impacts on habitat is operational – the troll fishery operates entirely at the surface in deep, Habitats 2.4.2 Management N/A 80-100 oceanic water. The fishery does not contact the seabed and any pelagic habitat impacts will be imperceptible and highly transient.

2.4.3 Information N/A 80-100 Good broad level information is known about the nature and distribution of the main habitats in the fishing area

The ecosystem for these fisheries is considered to be the Sea of Japan inshore and nearshore zones and the key ecosystem elements 2.5.1 Outcome No 80-100 considered within these are species diversity, trophic food webs and ecosystem services. The effect of the blue fin fishery on the ecosystem is likely to be insignificant. The most important ecosystem management measure in place for the fishery is the size of the catch and the constraint on the extent Ecosystem 2.5.2 Management N/A 80-100 and location of fishing areas. These are confined to a relatively small part of the blue fin tuna distribution, which consequently constrains the potential effect of the fishery on marine ecosystems. The research centres and Universities carry out monitoring programmes to measure ecosystem components such as chlorophyll, 2.5.3 Information N/A 80-100 salinity, temperature, currents etc. This information is available in government reports and scientific publications. There is sufficient information There is also sufficient information to broadly understand the key elements of the ecosystem in the fishery area.

Number of PIs less than 60: 2

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7.3 Principle 3

UoA 1, 2, 3 & 4: Deep water prawn & pink prawn Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.1.1 Legal and The fishery takes place entirely within Japanese waters, so there is no requirement for international cooperation (i.e. cooperation with customary other parties). framework The Fisheries law, Fisheries Resources Conservation Law, Fisheries Sea-area Coordination rules define a well-regarded cooperation and >80 consultation mechanism for management. Fisheries coordination and meeting functions are well developed under the above legal framework, and resolution of legal disputes is dealt within the consultation meetings, such as the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee meetings. This is generally considered transparent mechanism and effective. The provision for Common Fishery Rights with the 1949 Fisheries Law demonstrates a clear commitment to traditional fisheries. 3.1.2 Consultation, Science institutes conduct annual stock assessment for deep water prawn. Local government sets Prefectural Fishery Resources roles and Management Policy and Fishery Promotion Basic Plan consistent with national guidelines for locally important fishery resources. responsibilities Prefectures also act as a secretariat for various committees such as Resources Management Committee (license approval), Sea-Area

Coordination Committee (area use) established to support decision making on specific fisheries management aspects.

3 Fisheries Basic Act sets the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee within MAFF, to consult issues related to all fisheries-related laws in >80 Governance & Japan (Chapter 4 Article 35-39), and determine directions and guidelines for management of major commercial fisheries. The committee policy can advise Minister or related local administration’s chief or request cooperation for information and clarification. Principle Principle Within this framework the role and responsibilities of organizations and individuals are explicitly defined and well understood for key areas. Consultation processes are included in most of the meetings, which are held regularly, however current mechanism does not always ensure to explain how the information provided is used or not used. 3.1.3 Long term Chapter 1, article 2 of the Fisheries Basic Act (2001), overarching framework for the management of fisheries in Japan requires objectives conservation and management of fisheries resources to ensure its sustainable use as a component of marine ecosystem, following the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Japan ratified in 1996. The Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources (1996) legally enshrines the Japan’s commitment to “maximum 60-79 sustainable production” and sets TAC and TAE system and ABC calculation rules. The law also guides to protect surrounding ecosystem and habitat. Japan formally accepted the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This formally commits Japan to the Precautionary Principle. National Fisheries Master Plan of 2017 shows the commitment to full utilization of fishery resources with sustainable management to provide stable supply of products and contribute to development of fishing communities. Fishery White Paper 2017 part 2 reveals that

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Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach starting from major commercial fisheries, and the implementation is expected in the future. Until them those are left with local-level initiative through co-management framework. It is generally in accordance with MSC Principles 1 and 2. 3.2.1 Fishery specific Resources management goal for deep-water prawn and pink prawn fishery described in the Hokkaido prefecture’s resources objectives management guideline are to maintain current resources level, by implementation of self-restrictions on gear size, numbers, operation area, off-fishing days, etc. in addition to official license limit. However short and long-term objectives are not explicit within the 60-79 Hokkaido’s guideline. There are broadly consistent objectives summarized within Resources Management Plan, but they are implicit and without clear sustainability goals to achieve the outcomes expressed by MSC’s Principle 1 and 2, within the fishery-specific management system. 3.2.2 Decision making Fishery and vessel licenses (governor permits) are managed by the Kita Rumoi Fisheries Cooperative and are approved by the Hokkaido processes Fishery and Forestry Department. The Kita-Rumoi regional extension office and the Rumoi Area Fisheries Coordination Committee advice the upper limit and modifications to the conditions on license. Fishers must submit seasonal daily fishery report to the Governor. The Hokkaido Fishery Coordination Rules designates the fishing areas, seasonal closures, etc. In addition, cooperative’s voluntary rules are determined with consensus of fishermen to coordinate fisheries and protect resources / economic efficiency among members. Fishery >80 Fishermen’s group (Ebi-kogi, Ebi-kago bukai, or Gyogyo kyogikai) is established for each fishing method within cooperatives to make specific decisions on the target fisheries’ specific issues. If the resources decline triggers fishermen or administration officers to require scientific management guidance in those meetings, research plan is suggested to science institutes. However how the decision actually considers or not system consider the scientific recommendation depend on the consensus of fishers. Generally, Rumoi fisheries science institute is available for guidance on resources management. 3.2.3 Compliance and Voluntary restrictions such as bycatch limits, gear limits and landing ports restrictions are monitored by fishery cooperatives’ designated enforcement monitoring committee members to enforce peer-monitoring, and outcomes are reported at regular meetings. Market slips and photos are used as an evidence of compliance. As all products are sold at the fishery cooperative’s market and the members’ need for >80 commitment on cooperative rules for all aspects of fishery, there is generally strong incentive for compliance. All fishermen are required to be a member of fishery cooperatives under Fishery Cooperative Law of 1948. The cooperative’s common fishery right use rules article 16 defines sanctions on non-compliance to rules. 3.2.4 Management Although the evaluation opportunity may exist at the prefecture review of resources management plan, the link between cooperative’s performance 60-79 Resources Management Plan (which is not generally integrated) and science seems weak without clear references for evaluation. evaluation

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 6: Northern Sea Urchin Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.1.1 Legal and The fishery takes place entirely within Japanese waters, so there is no requirement for international cooperation (i.e. cooperation with customary other parties). framework The Fisheries law, Fisheries Resources Conservation Law, Fisheries Sea-area Coordination rules define well regarding cooperation and >80 consultation mechanism for management. Fisheries coordination and meeting functions are well developed under the above legal framework, and resolution of legal disputes is dealt within the consultation meetings, such as the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee meetings. This is generally considered transparent mechanism and effective. The provision for Common Fishery Rights with the 1949 Fisheries Law demonstrates a clear commitment to traditional fisheries. 3.1.2 Consultation, Since sea urchin stock fishery is locally distinct, management is devolved to local fisheries cooperative. Licenses and vessels are managed roles and by prefecture, and most resources management decisions are dealt by the Kita Rumoi fisheries cooperative. The Functions, roles, responsibilities reporting mechanisms among fisheries cooperative, fishery-specific member group association (internal to FC), various committees >80 including fishery right management committees, and resources management committees are established and functioning well. There is a regular consultation process including opportunity to include local knowledge, related to broad aspects covering scientific, Governance & administrative, and fishery operation.

policy 3 3.1.3 Long term Chapter 1, article 2 of the Fisheries Basic Act (2001), overarching framework for the management of fisheries in Japan requires objectives conservation and management of fisheries resources to ensure its sustainable use as a component of marine ecosystem, following the

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Japan ratified in 1996. Principle Principle The Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources (1996) legally enshrines the Japan’s commitment to “maximum sustainable production” and sets TAC and TAE system and ABC calculation rules. The law also guides to protect surrounding ecosystem and habitat. Japan formally accepted the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This formally commits Japan to the Precautionary 60-79 Principle. National Fisheries Master Plan of 2017 shows the commitment to full utilization of fishery resources with sustainable management to provide stable supply of products and contribute to development of fishing communities. Fishery White Paper 2017 part 2 reveals that government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach starting from major commercial fisheries, and the implementation is expected in the future. Until them those are left with local-level initiative through co-management framework. It is generally in accordance with MSC Principles 1 and 2. Fishery 3.2.1 Fishery specific Hokkaido prefecture’s resources management guideline does not have guideline for sea urchin as the resources are distinct at each specific objectives local site. There are general resources management goals set at Hokkaido, which is consistent with MSC principle 1 and 2. >80 management Although assessment team could not find an explicit resources management plan established for sea urchin fishery, the cooperative’s system fishery-specific management system seems comprehensive and there seems to be de-facto objectives in place, from the way it is

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Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level operated seen in the minutes of regular committee meetings and annual catch plan setting. However, there is no explicit management objectives set for sea urchin fishery on resources management plan document (rather bureaucratic document). 3.2.2 Decision making Fishermen’s group is established within cooperatives to make decisions on the target fisheries’ specific issues. Fishers set strict voluntary processes management measures such as maximum catch limit for the season, and allocate to each fishers, set protected areas. Fishers also >80 actively seek inputs of scientists and reflect recommendation to management as well as conducting their own research to understand environment. 3.2.3 Compliance and There is a good peer-monitoring system to comply with voluntary and official management rules and their commitment level seems >80 enforcement high. 3.2.4 Management Cooperative’s fishermen’s group conduct their own review on the seasons’ catch result, discuss at regular meetings to consider performance >80 modifications of rules for next season. Official management are supporting their evaluation, together with local scientific institutes. evaluation

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 7, 8 & 9: Japanese Flounder Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.1.1 Legal and The Fisheries law, Fisheries Resources Conservation Law, Fisheries Sea-area Coordination rules define well regarding cooperation customary >80 mechanism for management. The management system incorporates transparent mechanism for disputes resolution, which is inscribed framework in the laws and on the back of this fishery’s license and it is considered effective. 3.1.2 Consultation, Science institutes conduct annual stock assessment for Bastard halibut. Local government sets Prefectural Fishery Resources roles and Management Policy and Fishery Promotion Basic Plan consistent with national guidelines for locally important fishery resources. responsibilities Prefectures also act as a secretariat for various committees such as Resources Management Committee (license approval), Sea-Area Coordination Committee (area use) established to support decision making on specific fisheries management aspects. Fisheries Basic Act sets the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee within MAFF, to consult issues related to all fisheries-related laws in >80 Japan (Chapter 4 Article 35-39), and determine directions and guidelines for management of major commercial fisheries. The committee can advise Minister or related local administration’s chief or request cooperation for information and clarification. Within this framework the role and responsibilities of organizations and individuals are explicitly defined and well understood for key areas. Consultation processes are included in most of the meetings, which are held regularly, however current mechanism does not Governance & always ensure to explain how the information provided is used or not used.

policy 3 3.1.3 Long term Chapter 1, article 2 of the Fisheries Basic Act (2001), overarching framework for the management of fisheries in Japan requires objectives conservation and management of fisheries resources to ensure its sustainable use as a component of marine ecosystem, following the

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Japan ratified in 1996. Principle Principle The Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources (1996) legally enshrines the Japan’s commitment to “maximum sustainable production” and sets TAC and TAE system and ABC calculation rules. The law also guides to protect surrounding ecosystem and habitat. Japan formally accepted the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This formally commits Japan to the Precautionary 60-79 Principle. National Fisheries Master Plan of 2017 shows the commitment to full utilization of fishery resources with sustainable management to provide stable supply of products and contribute to development of fishing communities. Fishery White Paper 2017 part 2 reveals that government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach starting from major commercial fisheries, so the implementation is expected in the future. Until them those are left with local-level initiative through co-management framework. It is generally in accordance with MSC Principles 1 and 2. Fishery 3.2.1 Fishery specific Hokkaido Prefecture has the Fisheries Resources Management Guideline, but guideline of flounder fishery is available only for the small- specific objectives scale set net (Sokodate-ami). There is no integrated objective set for the fishery or species management. The resources management 60-79 management measures for this cooperative region are catch restriction in general and continued practice of artificial propagation by releasing system juveniles in wider area. Precautionary approach with the fisheries management is not explicitly in place.

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Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level Small scale set-net (Sokodate): Since set net cannot select species to enter, objective is to manage the entire resources in the area to maintain catch volume. Seasonal operation closure, size limit of product is practiced, but there are no explicit short and long-term objectives. There is a resources management plan, which is integrated with all other fisheries of Kita-Rumoi cooperative. Pole and line (Herabiki) and gill net (Sashiami) and Jigging (pole and line) : There are voluntary management measures but explicit short and long-term objectives don’t exist and there is no resources management plan established for this fishery. 3.2.2 Decision making Fishermen’s group (Pole and line Bukai, Gill net Bukai) are established within the cooperative to make decisions on the target fisheries’ processes specific issues. For both fishery fishing season is limited. For gill net, gears, release of small fish (35cm) use of baits, numbers of license are managed. Set net fisheries are managed by the cooperative directly. 60-79 There seems that established decision-making system exists to determine measures and strategies of management, and the processes seem to respond to serious and other important issues identified in relevant research, monitoring, evaluation and consultation. However, if the processes use the precautionary approach and are based on best available information was not clear from the currently available information. 3.2.3 Compliance and Voluntary restrictions such as bycatch limits, gear limits and landing ports restrictions are monitored by fishery cooperatives’ designated enforcement monitoring committee members to enforce peer-monitoring, and outcomes are reported at regular meetings. Market slips and photos are used as an evidence of compliance. As all products are sold at the fishery cooperative’s market and the members’ need for >80 commitment on cooperative rules for all aspects of fishery, there is generally strong incentive for compliance. All fishermen are required to be a member of fishery cooperatives under Fishery Cooperative Law of 1948. The cooperative’s common fishery right use rules article 16 defines sanctions on non-compliance. 3.2.4 Management Since there is no management plan established for pole and line and gillnet fishery, evaluation opportunity seems to be limited. Also, performance for the small-scale set net, the objective is not clear and management measures are integrated for all species caught in the set net, thus 60-79 evaluation with limited evaluation opportunity. Client needs to submit some evidence to prove that there are mechanisms in place to evaluate key parts of the fishery-specific management system.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 11,12 & 13: North Pacific Giant Octopus Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.1.1 Legal and Japan has a clear legal mechanism established for international cooperation for fisheries management. customary The Fisheries law, Fisheries Resources Conservation Law, Fisheries Sea-area Coordination rules define well regarding cooperation and framework consultation mechanism for management. Fisheries coordination and meeting functions are well developed under the above legal >80 framework, and resolution of legal disputes is dealt within the consultation meetings, such as the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee meetings. This is generally considered transparent mechanism and effective. The provision for Common Fishery Rights with the 1949 Fisheries Law demonstrates a clear commitment to traditional fisheries. 3.1.2 Consultation, Science institutes conduct annual stock assessment for Bastard halibut. Local government sets Prefectural Fishery Resources roles and Management Policy and Fishery Promotion Basic Plan consistent with national guidelines for locally important fishery resources. responsibilities Prefectures also act as a secretariat for various committees such as Resources Management Committee (license approval), Sea-Area Coordination Committee (area use) established to support decision making on specific fisheries management aspects. Fisheries Basic Act sets the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee within MAFF, to consult issues related to all fisheries-related laws in >80

Japan (Chapter 4 Article 35-39), and determine directions and guidelines for management of major commercial fisheries. The committee

3 can advise Minister or related local administration’s chief or request cooperation for information and clarification. Governance & Within this framework the role and responsibilities of organizations and individuals are explicitly defined and well understood for key policy areas. Consultation processes are included in most of the meetings, which are held regularly, however current mechanism does not Principle Principle always ensure to explain how the information provided is used or not used. 3.1.3 Long term Chapter 1, article 2 of the Fisheries Basic Act (2001), overarching framework for the management of fisheries in Japan requires objectives conservation and management of fisheries resources to ensure its sustainable use as a component of marine ecosystem, following the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Japan ratified in 1996. The Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources (1996) legally enshrines the Japan’s commitment to “maximum sustainable production” and sets TAC and TAE system and ABC calculation rules. The law also guides to protect surrounding ecosystem and habitat. Japan formally accepted the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This formally commits Japan to the Precautionary 60-79 Principle. National Fisheries Master Plan of 2017 shows the commitment to full utilization of fishery resources with sustainable management to provide stable supply of products and contribute to development of fishing communities. Fishery White Paper 2017 part 2 reveals that government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach starting from major commercial fisheries, so the implementation is expected in the future. Until then those are left with local-level initiative through co-management framework. It is generally in accordance with MSC Principles 1 and 2.

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Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.2.1 Fishery specific Resources management goal described in the Hokkaido prefecture’s resources management guideline for this resource is to maintain objectives current resources level, by implementation of self-restrictions on gear size, numbers, operation area, off-fishing days, etc. in addition 60-79 to official license limit. However short and long-term objectives are not explicit within the Hokkaido’s guideline. There are broadly consistent objectives summarized within Resources Management Plan, but they are implicit and without clear sustainability goals to achieve the outcomes expressed by MSC’s Principle 1 and 2, within the fishery-specific management system. 3.2.2 Decision making Fishermen’s group (Bukai) is established within cooperatives, this is mainly to coordinate with other fishers for fishing areas and days processes to prevent conflicts. Although this does not particularly aim at resources management indirectly it may contribute. Seasonal closure is 60-79 practiced to protect resources. Fishery license is managed through the regional common fishery management committee 2-3 times/ Fishery year. There are some decision-making processes in place that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives specific but it does not explicitly aim to manage resources level. management 3.2.3 Compliance and Voluntary restrictions such as bycatch limits, gear limits and landing ports restrictions are monitored by fishery cooperatives’ designated system enforcement monitoring committee members to enforce peer-monitoring, and outcomes are reported at regular meetings. Market slips and photos are used as an evidence of compliance. As all products are sold at the fishery cooperative’s market and the members’ need for >80 commitment on cooperative rules for all aspects of fishery, there is generally strong incentive for compliance. All fishermen are required to be a member of fishery cooperatives under Fishery Cooperative Law of 1948. The cooperative’s common fishery right use rules article 16 defines sanctions on non-compliance. 3.2.4 Management Cooperative’s fishermen’s group may conduct their own review on the seasons’ catch result, discuss at regular meetings to consider performance modifications of rules for next season if necessary. However prefectural management agencies and scientific institutes seem to have 60-79 evaluation little supervision and support. Fishermen feel that government’s “evaluation” is limited to checking what fishermen has reported in their format.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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UoA 14: Blue Fin Tuna Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.1.1 Legal and Japan has a clear legal mechanism established for international cooperation for fisheries management. customary The Fisheries law, Fisheries Resources Conservation Law, Fisheries Sea-area Coordination rules define well regarding cooperation and framework consultation mechanism for management. Fisheries coordination and meeting functions are well developed under the above legal >80 framework, and resolution of legal disputes is dealt within the consultation meetings, such as the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee meetings. This is generally considered transparent mechanism and effective. The provision for Common Fishery Rights with the 1949 Fisheries Law demonstrates a clear commitment to traditional fisheries. 3.1.2 Consultation, Science institutes conduct annual stock assessment for Bastard halibut. Local government sets Prefectural Fishery Resources roles and Management Policy and Fishery Promotion Basic Plan consistent with national guidelines for locally important fishery resources. responsibilities Prefectures also act as a secretariat for various committees such as Resources Management Committee (license approval), Sea-Area Coordination Committee (area use) established to support decision making on specific fisheries management aspects. Fisheries Basic Act sets the Fisheries Policy Discussion Committee within MAFF, to consult issues related to all fisheries-related laws in >80

Japan (Chapter 4 Article 35-39), and determine directions and guidelines for management of major commercial fisheries. The committee

3 can advise Minister or related local administration’s chief or request cooperation for information and clarification. Governance & Within this framework the role and responsibilities of organizations and individuals are explicitly defined and well understood for key policy areas. Consultation processes are included in most of the meetings, which are held regularly, however current mechanism does not Principle Principle always ensure to explain how the information provided is used or not used. 3.1.3 Long term Chapter 1, article 2 of the Fisheries Basic Act (2001), overarching framework for the management of fisheries in Japan requires objectives conservation and management of fisheries resources to ensure its sustainable use as a component of marine ecosystem, following the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Japan ratified in 1996. The Law of Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources (1996) legally enshrines the Japan’s commitment to “maximum sustainable production” and sets TAC and TAE system and ABC calculation rules. The law also guides to protect surrounding ecosystem and habitat. Japan formally accepted the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This formally commits Japan to the Precautionary 60-79 Principle. National Fisheries Master Plan of 2017 shows the commitment to full utilization of fishery resources with sustainable management to provide stable supply of products and contribute to development of fishing communities. Fishery White Paper 2017 part 2 reveals that government aims to set measurable objectives and precautionary approach starting from major commercial fisheries, so the implementation is expected in the future. Until them those are left with local-level initiative through co-management framework. It is generally in accordance with MSC Principles 1 and 2.

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Likely Performance Component PI scoring Rationale/ Key points Indicator level 3.2.1 Fishery specific Pacific Bluefin tuna is managed by WCPFC with their member countries including Japan. At WCPFC PBT Japan has agreed to tentative objectives target to recover to historical mid-range by 2024 with 60% probability. To achieve this, Japan has set target to reduce their juvenile BFT catch to half of average catch achieved in 2002-2004. This is actually only 6% reduction from recent catch. It is far from sustainable and precautionary objective, given BFT’s current resources status. Hokkaido has set a robust policy, Hokkaido’s plan for Tuna Management on its own to set a rule to stop catching juvenile / adult BFT at >60-79 all Hokkaido fisheries, when the all-Japan juvenile / adult tuna quota is exceeded, even though there are remaining quotas in some regions of Hokkaido, so that national objective of catch limit will be met. Hokkaido prefecture also advises to refrain from juvenile BFT catch and to reduce operation time and days. The Kita Rumoi fisheries cooperative has established a voluntary rule to have one off- fishing day a month. The Japan Sea Area Fisheries Coordination Committee issues committee orders to limit pole and line tuna fishery areas and season, Fishery landing ports and the number of fishery permits based on operation records. specific 3.2.2 Decision making To implement the quota restriction agreed at WCPFC, FAJ has been managing the fishery by voluntary non-binding measures, which management processes resulted in surpassing quota in the last 2 years. FAJ started experimental BFT TAC since 2017 and from January 2018, it was turned into system binding rule. However, without IQ, many allocated juvenile BFT quota has been exceeded often by one or two large scale set-net fishery >60-79 (last year 344t exceeded quota). A number of incidences of under-reporting of BFT catch has been reported to escape current monitoring, and the weakness of management system has been pointed. The current decision-making processes are not clearly made to result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives. 3.2.3 Compliance and TAC is in place but its legal requirement has only become effective in 2018. The quotas are allocated to fishery category in total and not enforcement 69-79 allocated to individual fishery. The non-reporting rate has been very high and so there is no confirmation on the overall performance of the fishery compliance yet. 3.2.4 Management The management system is in transition now with experimental TAC introduction, and its effectiveness is still in question. It is not clear performance if the fishery has effective evaluation system on its monitoring, control and surveillance, and evaluations of the performance of stock 60-79 evaluation assessment (bench mark assessments) to see its appropriateness on the objectives. In full assessment it is encouraged to provide detailed information to improve the score.

Number of PIs less than 60: 0

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APPENDIX 1 REFERENCES Agatsuma, Y. 2007. Chapter 21 Ecology of Strongylocentrotus nudus. In Lawrence, J. ed. Edible Sea Urchins Biology and Ecology. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science. 37:443-457 Andrew, N. L., Y. Agatsuma, E. Ballesteros, A. G. Bazhin, E. P. Creaser, D. K. A. Barnes, L. W. Botsford, A. Bradbury, A. Campbell, J. D. Dixon, S. Einarsson, P. K. Gerring, K. Hebert, M. Hunter, S. B. Hur, C. R. Johnson, M. A. Juinio-Meñez, P. Kalvass, R. J. Miller, C. A. Moreno, J. S. Palleiro, D. Rivas, S. M. L. Robinson, S. C. Schroeter, R. S. Steneck, R. L. Vadas, D. A. Woodby And Z. Xiaoqi. 2002. Status and Management of World Sea Urchin Fisheries. Oceanography and Marine Biology · August 2002CFES 2016. Stock Assessment Summary Report Fish species (SEA): Flounder (Sea of Japan-Tsugaru Strait). Charge: Central Fisheries Experiment Station (Akihiko Wada). Chuenpagdee, R., Morgan, L.E., Maxwell, S.M., Norse, E.A., and Pauly, D. 2003. Shifting gears: collateral impacts of fishing methods in U.S. waters. Frontiers in Ecology and Environment 1(10): 517-524. Cowles. D. (2006). Pandalus eous Makarov, 1935. Species descriptinopn. Publish on-line: https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda/Caridea/Family _Pandalidae/Pandalus_eous.html DFO. 2010. Potential impacts of fishing gears (Excluding mobile bottom-contact gears) on marine habitats and communities. Can. Sci. Adv. Sec. Sci. Adv. Rep. 2010/003. FAPD 2015. Basic Rules for Calculating ABC for Heisei 27 (2015) Year. Fisheries Agency Promotion Department, National Research and Development Corporation Fisheries Research Agency. Fujikura K, Lindsay D, Kitazato H, Nishida S, Shirayama Y (2010) Marine Biodiversity in Japanese Waters. PLoS ONE 5(8): e11836. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011836 Fujii, T. 2006. Migration of released hatchery-reared Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus along the Sea of Japan. Bull. Fish. Res. Agen. supplement No. 5, 143-146 Fuller S., C. Picco, J. Ford, C.-F. Tsao, L. E. Morgan, D. Hangaard, R. Chuenpagdee 2008. How We Fish Matters: Adressing the Ecological Impacts of Canadian Fishing Gear. Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society, and Marine Conservation Biology Institute. ISBN 978- ISC 2016. 2016 Pacific Bluefin Tuna Stock Assessment. Report of the Pacific Bluefin Tuna Working Group. International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean. 13-18 July 2016. Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Jennings, S. & Kaiser, M.J., 1998. The Effects of fishing on marine ecosystems. Marine Biology 34, 201-352. Kaiser, M.J., Clarke, K.R., Hinz, H., Austen, M.C.V., Somerfield. P.J. & Karakassis, I., 2006. Global analysis of response and recovery of benthic biota to fishing. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 311, 1-14 Kengo Ishino 2016: The basic survey of flounder discharge. Heisei 26 Year Research Institute of the Central Fisheries Experiment Station Business Report: 129-139 Lawrence. J. M ( editor) 2013: Sea Urchins: Biology and Ecology . Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science Vol 38 Makino. M. (2011). Fisheries Management in Japan. Its institutional features and case studies. Springer. Fish & Fisheries Series 34. ISBN: 978-94-007-1776-3 McMinn, A., Hirawake, T., Hamaoka, T., Hattori, H. & M. Fukuchi (2005). Contribution of benthic microalgae to ice covered coastal ecosystems in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK, V. 85, pp. 283-289 Ministry of the Environment, 2013. State of Japan’s Environment at a Glance: Extinct and Endangered Species Listed in the Red Data Book. Available from: http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/biodiv/reddata.html Nakame Y. 1991. Reproductive cycle and growth of pink shrimp, Pandalus borealis, around Musashi Bank in Japan Sea off Hokkaido, Japan. Sci Rep Hokkaido Fish Exp Stn 37: 5-16 (in Japanese with English abstract). Nakayama, K., Ohkawa, T., Marukawa, Y., Tainosho, Y., Tanaka, M. 2006. Studies on genetic population structure and ecological-physiological characteristics of local populations of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Bull. Fish. Res. Agen. supplement No.5, 139-142 Newell, R.I.E. (2004). Ecosystem influences of natural and cultivated populations of suspension feeding bivalve molluscs: a review. J. Shellfish Res., 23, 51-61 Ruddle, K. 1987. Administration and conflict management in Japanese coastal fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 273. Sano, M. 2016. North Pacific Giant Octopus Summary Stock Assessment 41 Mizudacho area around Hokkaido. Doshisha Research Fisheries Research Headquarters 2016 Japanese Islands Project Pre-assessment March 2018 MSC pre-assessment for Kita Rumoi Fisheries 94

Sawamura, M. 2016. Fish species: Toyama Shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotus)（Eruption Bay). Stock Status Summary. Hakodate Fisheries Experiment Station. Sekino, M. 2006. Genetic profiling of hatchery-raised Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) based on DNA markers: an efficient means to track released flounder. Bull. Fish. Res. Agen. supplement No.5, 147-163, 2006 Sudo, H., Kajihara N., Fujii, T. 2006. Predation mortality of hatchery-reared juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus released in Mano Bay, Sado Island. Bull. Fish. Res. Agen. supplement No.5, 165-167, 2006 Tom Carruthers, T. 2013. Review of the 2013 Stock Assessment of Pacific Bluefin Tuna. White, A.T., L.M. Chou, M.W.R.N. Du Silva and F.Y. Guarin. 1990. Artificial reefs for marine habitat enhancement in Southeast Asia. ICLARM Education Series 11, 45 p. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Philippines. Yamaguchi, H., Goto, Y., Hoshino, N., Miyashita, K. 2014. Growth and age composition of northern shrimp Pandalus eous estimated by multiple length frequency analysis. Fisheries Science, 80(4): 665-678 Yamaguchi, H., Tanaka, N. 2016. Pandalus Red Shrimp (Sea of Japan) Stock Assessment Summary. Central Fisheries Laboratory / Wakkanai Fisheries Experiment Station. Yamashita, Y. and Kurita, Y. 2007. An appropriate stocking size of juvenile Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, in consideration of carrying capacity. Bull. Fish. Res. Agen. No.19, 33-33, 2007 Yoshida, Y., Maeda, K., Shimada, H., Washimi, T., 2003, Fisheries and Aquatic Life in Hokkaido, Fisheries Biology Encyclopedia, Hokkaido News Press. 2003. ISBN: 978-4894532458

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APPENDIX 2 ENHANCED FISHERY ASSESSMENT To be considered as an enhanced fishery eligible for MSC assessment the fishery must incorporate some element of harvest of a wild population and should be managed so that the natural productivity and genetic biodiversity of that population is not undermined with respect to any impacts on long- term sustainability. Linkages to wild stocks exist in HAC systems where marine species are raised to a larval or juvenile stage in captivity and then released into and harvested from a wild stock. In this assessment of Kita – Rumoi fisheries there are 3 species which can be considered as being enhanced by hatch and catch (HAC: • Short spined urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius). • The northern sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus nudus), and • Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) The wild populations of Sea urchins and Japanese flounder in the Sea of Japan are enhanced with small juveniles produced in nearby hatcheries. Urchins and flounder species are raised to a juvenile stage and then distributed back into the area from which the brood stock originated. To determine if an enhanced fishery is eligible for assessment it must conform to all of the scope criteria as identified in the table below for HAC fisheries (FCR v2 Table 1). Table 1: A: Linkages to and maintenance of a wild stock Short spined urchin: The brood stock is collected from the wild. Breeding takes place in the hatchery and juvenile urchins are returned to the wild for ongoing to adult size. Northern sea urchin: The brood stock is collected from the wild. At some point, the system relies Breeding takes place in the hatchery and juvenile urchins are i upon the capture of fish from the returned to the wild for ongoing to adult size. wild environment. Japanese Flounder: The brood stock is collected from the wild. Breeding takes place in the hatchery and juvenile urchins are returned to the wild for ongoing to adult size. All three species meet this criterion. Short spined urchin: Native to Japan The species are native to the Northern sea urchin: Native to Japan ii geographic region of the fishery. Japanese Flounder: Native to Japan All three species meet this criterion. Short spined urchin: the population in areas beyond the fishery is not restocked. There are natural reproductive Northern sea urchin: the population in areas beyond the fishery is components that maintain iii not restocked. themselves without having to be Japanese Flounder: the population in areas beyond the fishery is restocked. not restocked. All three species meet this criterion.

For hatch and catch (HAC) Short spined urchin: The fishery is depleted iv systems, stocking does not form Northern sea urchin: The fishery is not depleted a major part of a rebuilding plan. Japanese Flounder: The fishery is not depleted

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The short spined urchin is depleted therefore this criterion is not met. This species is out of scope and is therefore not eligible for MSC assessment. Northern sea urchin and Japanese flounder meet this criterion. B: Feeding and husbandry The production system operates without substantial Northern sea urchin: The hatchery system operates without substantial augmentation of food supply. Feeding is used to grow augmentation of food supply. In the animals to a size prior to release not more than 10% of the HAC systems, any feeding is used average adult maximum weight), such that most of the total only to grow the animals to a growth (not less than 90%) is achieved during the wild phase. i small size prior to release (not Urchin are released at 15cm and adults are harvested at 50-60 cm more than 10% of the average Japanese flounder: The hatchery system operates without adult maximum weight), such substantial augmentation of food supply. Feeding is used to grow that most of the total growth the animals to a size prior to release not more than 10% of the average adult maximum weight), such that most of the total (not less than 90%) is achieved growth (not less than 90%) is achieved during the wild phase. during the wild phase. In CAG systems, production does ii not rely on disease prevention NA involving chemicals or drugs. C: Habitat and ecosystem impacts Northern sea urchin There are no habitat modifications. The Any habitat modifications are hatchery reared urchins are individually place back into the urchin i reversible and do not cause fishery area. serious harm. Japanese Flounder: The hatchery reared flounders are released back into the flounder fishery area

On the basis of the analysis of the scope requirements above, we confirm that: • the Northern sea urchin fishery and the Japanese flounder fishery are within MSC scope, and these fisheries are eligible for assessment against the MSC standard. • The short spined urchin does not meet all criteria (it is a depleted stock) and is not eligible for assessment under the MSC standard. It should be noted that fisheries involving hatchery enhancement assessed as hatch-and-catch (HAC) fisheries shall be scored against Principle 1 PIs in accordance with the Enhanced HAC fisheries including the Genetics PIs ,1.1.3, 1.2.5, and 1.2.6. Furthermore, where no distinction is made between wild fish and artificially produced fish in estimates of spawning escapements or other surrogate reference points, stock status shall be scored lower than in cases where wild fish are enumerated separately.

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APPENDIX 3: TABLE OF SPECIES: JAPANESE / ENGLISH / LATIN NAMES Local Standard English Additional Scientific Japanese Japanese name Information あんこう キアンコウ Angler fish Lophius litulon

あんこう キ キアンコウ Angler fish Liver Lophius litulon モ

いとう イトウ Japanese Huchen Hucho perryi

いなだ ブリ Amberjack Small (about 30cm) Seriola quinqueradiata

いばらえび イバラモエビ Lebbeus shrimp Lebbeus groenlandicus

いわし マイワシ Sardine Sardinops melanostictus

かじか トゲカジカ Great sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus かじか オス トゲカジカ Great sculpin Male Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus

かじか メス トゲカジカ Great sculpin Female Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus かじかの子 トゲカジカ Great sculpin Roe Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus かすべ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Raja pulchra

かすべ アゴ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Jaw Raja pulchra

かすべ ヒレ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Fin Raja pulchra

かすべ ホッ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Cheek Raja pulchra ペ

がぜ エゾバフンウニ Short-spined sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius かながしら カナガシラ Searobin Lepidotrigla microptena

かに 種名不明 Crab (species not identified) Unknown

がや エゾメバル White-edged rockfish Sebastes taczanowskii

からふとます カラフトマス Pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha かわはぎ カワハギ Threadsail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer

かんかい コマイ Saffron cod Eleginus gracilis

ぎんぼう ギンポ Bllenny Pholis nebulosa

さくらます サクラマス Masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

さば マサバ Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus

しまえび モロトゲアカエ Morotoge shrimp Pandalopsis japonica ビ

しまそい シマゾイ Threestripe rockfish Sebastes trivittatus

すけとうたら スケトウタラ Alaskan pollock Gadus chalcogrammus

そい 種名不明 Rock fish (species not Sebastes sp. identified)

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その他かれい 種名不明 Other flounder Unknown

その他ふぐ 種名不明 Other globe fish Unknown

その他ます 種名不明 Other trout Unknown

その他魚類 種名不明 Other fish Unknown

たかのは マツカワガレイ Barfin flounder Verasper moseri

たこ ミズダコ North-pacific giant octopus Octopus dofleini

たこ イサリ ミズダコ North-pacific giant octopus "Isari" (name of Octopus dofleini gear) たこ 函 ミズダコ North-pacific giant octpus Box Octopus dofleini

たこ 網 ミズダコ North-pacific giant octpus Net Octopus dofleini

たこ 縄 ミズダコ North-pacific giant octpus Rope Octopus dofleini

たら マダラ Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus

たら オス マダラ Pacific cod Male Gadus macrocephalus

たら メス マダラ Pacific cod Female Gadus macrocephalus

たら 木函 マダラ Pacific cod Wooden box Gadus macrocephalus

たらのタチ マダラ Pacific cod Soft roe Gadus macrocephalus

つぶ エゾボラ Ezo-neptune Neptunea polycostata

つぶ ムキ身 エゾボラ Ezo-neptune Meat Neptunea polycostata

どすべ ガンギエイ科 Skate (species not identified) Unknown (Rajiformes)

とらえび トヤマエビ Corn-stripe shrimp Pandalus hypsinotus

とらふぐ トラフグ Globefish Takifugu rubipes

なまこ マナマコ Japanese common sea Stichopus japonica cucumber

なめた ババガレイ Slime flounder Microstomus achne

なめた 木函 ババガレイ Slime flounder Wooden box Microstomus achne

なめらふぐ マフグ Globefish Takifugu porphyreus

なんばんえび ホッコクアカエ Deep water prawn Pandalus eous ビ なんばんえび ホッコクアカエ Deep water prawn Pool Pandalus eous プール ビ

にしん ニシン Pacific herring Clupea pallasii

にしん 木函 ニシン Pacific herring Wooden box Clupea pallasii

のな キタムラサキウ Northern sea urchin Strongylocentrotus ニ nudus

はたはた ハタハタ Sailfin sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus

ひらつめかに ヒラツメガニ Swimming clab Ovalipes punctatus

ひらめ ヒラメ Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

ぶり ブリ Amberjack Seriola quinqueradiata

ほたて 半成 ホタテガイ Giant ezo-scallop Semi-adult Patinopecten yessoensis 貝

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ほたて 当年 ホタテガイ Giant ezo-scallop This year's recruits Patinopecten yessoensis 貝

ほたて 成貝 ホタテガイ Giant ezo-scallop Adult Patinopecten yessoensis

ほたて 稚貝 ホタテガイ Giant ezo-scallop Juveniles Patinopecten yessoensis

ほっけ ホッケ Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus azonus

ほっけ 木函 ホッケ Atka mackerel Wooden box Pleurogrammus azonus

ほや マボヤ Sea pineapple Halocynthia roretzi

ぼら ボラ Flathead gray mullet Mugil cephalus

まつかわ マツカワガレイ Barfin flounder Verasper moseri

まつぶ マツブ Ezo-neptune Neptunea polycostata

むきかすべ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Skinned Raja pulchra

めじまぐろ メジマグロ Blue fin tuna Small Thunnus orientalis

やなぎたこ ヤナギダコ Chestnut octopus Octopus conispadiceus

やなぎのまい ヤナギノマイ Yellow body rockfish Sebastes steindachneri

八角 トクビレ Sailfin poacher Podothecus sachi

半かすべ メガネカスベ Mottled skate "Half" Raja pulchra

宗八 ソウハチガレイ Souhachi-flounder Cleisthenes pinetorum

宗八 木函 ソウハチガレイ Souhachi-flounder Wooden box Cleisthenes pinetorum

川かれい ヌマガレイ Starry flounder Platichthys stellatus

本わらずか ナガヅカ Long shanny Stichaeus grigorjewi

油かれい アブラガレイ Kamchatka flounder Atheresthes evermanni

油かれい 木 アブラガレイ Kamchatka flounder Wooden box Atheresthes evermanni 函

油子 アイナメ Green ling Hexagrammos otakii

活たこ ミズダコ North-pacific giant octpus Live Octopus dofleini

活ひらめ ヒラメ Japanese flounder Live Paralichthys olivaceus

浅羽 アサバガレイ Rock sole Pleuronectes mochigarei 真かすべ メガネカスベ Mottled skate Raja pulchra

真かれい マガレイ Brown sole Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini 真かれい 木 マガレイ Brown sole Wooden box Pseudopleuronectes 箱 herzensteini

真そい キツネメバル Fox jacopever Sebastes vulpes

石かれい イシガレイ Stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus

砂かれい スナガレイ Longsnout flounder Limanda punctatissimus

赤かれい アカガレイ Flathead flounder Hippoglossoides dubius

赤かれい 木 アカガレイ Flathead flounder Wooden box Hippoglossoides dubius 函

雑魚Ｃ 種名不明 Other fish C Unknown

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青つぶ ヒメエゾボラ Whelk Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica 黒かれい クロガレイ Black plaice Pseudopleuronectes obscurus 黒そい クロソイ Black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

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