Satoumi Ecosystems and a New Commons: Ecological and Institutional Linkages between Human and Nature

Abstract

“Satoumi” is defined simply as a seascape with “high productivity and biodiversity in the coastal sea area with human interaction” (Yanagi, 2006). Unlike the satoyama, in which human interaction with nature can be recognized as a visible landscape, the satoumi seems to be an invisible seascape and uncertain without close observation. To demonstrate the concept and practices prevailing in the satoumi more concretely, ecological and institutional effectiveness is examined in small-scale fisheries in western Japan. The focus is access rights in historical continuation between pre-modern and modern periods leading to contemporary fisheries jurisdictions. Stationary fisheries such as bamboo weir, tidal stone weir, and set net fisheries found in Okinawa and the Seto Inland Sea are chosen to demonstrate biologically and institutionally positive effects on the satoumi. In stationary fisheries, conservation and productivity are generally positively realized through communal efforts to maintain the installations. Yet, in individualistic set net fisheries, efforts to conserve marine resources should be more elaborately promoted to avoid over-fishing. In debates on conservation of MPAs (marine protected areas), governance to mitigate serious contradiction among stakeholders is a primary concern. Yet, as it is often hard to reach a final decision in launching MPAs, a new concept of the commons is highly recommended to provide an effective framework for conserving biodiversity as well as promoting marine production.