Tuna conflict off the coast of Aomori
The Yomiuri reports that conflict has erupted off the coast of Aomori Prefecture between fisherman who use traditional hook-and-line fishing methods and commercial fishing boats that engage in longline fishing:
The problems have arisen in areas where longline fishing is banned to protect the traditional rod-and-line method.
A prison term of up to one year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen can be imposed on repeated violators under the Fisheries Law.
In August, one of about 80 longline fishing boats belonging to the local fisheries co-op in Omamachi, based in the Shimokita Peninsula area, was chased and surrounded by dozens of rod-and-line fishing boats belonging to a local co-op of the Tsugaru Peninsula.
On Oct. 10, about a dozen rod-and-line boats surrounded a longline fishing vessel and cut its lines. In addition, fishermen on the rod-and-line boats used radio messages to demand in strong terms that the longline vessel leave the area.
Since the money to be made catching and selling bluefin tuna is far more than the 500,000 yen fine, longline fishing boats continue to regularly violate the banned zone. Local rod-and-line fishermen worry that the increased haul from the longline boats will drive down prices and damage their special Oma Maguro brand.
