Utilization of ICT in Management and Operations of Fish Market

Based on Comparative Analysis of Fishing Ports in Japan and Overseas

Abstract

Amid increasing global demand for marine products and expanding exports, it is required to take measures to eradicate the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated （IUU） Fishing. More consumers prefer and choose traceable and sustainable products due to growing interest in environment. In Japan, rapidly declining and aging population have a great impact on maintaining fishing communities such as a serious shortage of workers. Therefore, the authors have surveyed major fishing ports and their markets in Europe as well as collected existing reports and information on fishing ports overseas and conducted comparative analysis on the management and operations of the fish market which utilizing ICTs. After clarifying the characteristics of the management and operations overseas and at home, and the background of advanced auction system such as electronic auction and online in Europe, the authors have found that digitalization and expanding network - utilizing ICT such as PCs, tablets, smartphones and the internet - surely contribute to ensuring traceability against IUU Fishing. It is clear that Japan is left far behind in introducing electronic auction apart from the difference of landing, selling and shipping style. The authors have also proposed the digitalized and networked system for the management and operations of the fish market based on the database sales information combined with catch information, designed to realize hygiene highly-managed fishing port - fish market in Japan - which can supply quality, traceable and sustainable marine products to consumers globally. In addition, the proposed system can help market officials, producers and buyers save their labor and time.