Japan has the largest fishing industry in the world. The industry’s size and Japan’s dependence on its profits make it vulnerable to “overfishing.” As Japan struggles with overfishing while preserving its economy, its government and organizations like Ocean Outcomes are working to safeguard Japan’s fishing industry and maintain reliable jobs.
Japan’s fishing industry has faced several issues, the largest being overfishing. Overfishing results when fishermen catch fish faster than the fish can reproduce, leaving fewer fish available for fishermen to catch. Overfishing damages the ecosystems and can damage the livelihood of those reliant on the fishing industry.
The other prominent issue Japan’s fishing industry is facing is leftover damage from the 2011 earthquake that triggered the meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant. As the nuclear plant melted down, the waste contaminated water in the surrounding area and killed several tons of fish. All previously contaminated areas are now slowly reopening for public use since the waters are at healthy pH levels that will not harm fish and wildlife.
With Japan’s struggling fishing industry, the economy is in danger should the fishing ecosystems not recover.
Read more:
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/japans-fishing-industry/