CHIBA FUNABASHI SEA PERCH PURSE SEINE FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (FIP)

Japan’s first Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) was launched in Funabashi City, Chiba prefecture through collaboration between fishers, seafood handling companies and an NGO. Funabashi boasts the largest landing volume of sea perch (Japanese sea bass) in Japan.

Daidenmaru and Nakasenmaru, two purse seine fishing vessel fleets involved in the FIP, have been proactively implementing voluntary resource management measures for its sea perch fishery. When Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Games, Kaiko Bussan, fresh fish wholesaler that is co-owned by the skippers of Daidenmaru and Nakasenmaru, dreamed of providing their brand fish Shunjime Suzuki to the Olympics Village. However, it was made aware of the requirement for seafood to meet the IOC’s sustainable sourcing policy, prompting them to undergo the MSC fishery certification preassessment. The assessment results made it clear that improvements were necsesary, leading to the implementation of Japan’s first ever FIP. The project was supported by supermarket chain SEIYU.

UMITO Partners developed and continue to coordinate the FIP workplan that was first forumulated based on improvement needs addressed in the MSC preassessment result. Also, we have supported the digital transformation of FIP vessels.

The blockchain traceability system “Ocean to Table” co-developed by a council that UMITO Partners is a member of first launched the system through this FIP.