Enclosing Salmon: Social-Ecological Resilience and Salmon Aquaculture in Japan

2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12303
• Research Institution: Sophia University
• Principal Investigator: 伊藤 毅 上智大学, 国際教養学部, 教授 (10646863)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 渡邉 剛弘 上智大学, 国際教養学部, 准教授 (50439337)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Ecology and Society / Resilience / Salmon Aquaculture / Social Institutions

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

We continued work on the database of salmon aquaculture in Japan, surveying information via online sites and monitoring the salmon farms that we have identified as viable targets of our investigation (visits were not planned due to the pandemic situation). We also continued to review existing literature and data on salmon aquaculture, census data, and government white papers. This survey has allowed us to identify laws related to salmon aquaculture, how farmed salmon is categorized in government fishery data, and its position in the overall fisheries market. In order to gauge the international trend on the global salmon industry and how it may be affecting Japan’s nascent industry, we monitored salmon and fishery news outlets such assalmonbusiness.com and seafoodnews.com. We also continued our survey of existing historical and archival materials concerning the history of salmon fishing and farming, with a focus on Hokkaido. Visits to archives in Hokkaido were unfortunately curtailed by pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

The ongoing pandemic has prevented us from linking theory to practice in salmon aquaculture. Although we made some progress in studying the relevant literatures, we have not been able to carry out fieldwork. This situation delayed the progress of our research.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Our plans are to undertake fieldwork research on select salmon farms, carry out archival research in key areas such as Hokkaido, analyze and write up our findings. We also plan to present our work at an international conference and submit one article journal this coming year.

Causes of Carryover

We were unable to use the fund as planned due to the ongoing pandemic. As society gradually returns to normal, we expect the travel bans will be eased and lifted up. We will prepare for and carry out fieldwork as soon as the conditions allow.