Studies on the Role of Fishermen in Coastal Water Zone Environmental Management in Japan －A Case Study of Shiba Branch Office of Yokohama FCAs, Kanagawa Prefecture－

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Along with the growing recognition of the necessity of the integrated coastal management in Japan, the importance of groping for the way of the coastal management has been rising significantly. The objective of this study is to discuss the fishermen’s role in the coastal water zone environmental management in Shiba branch office of Yokohama FCA’s, where fishery is still one of the major activities even after the fishery right was abandoned. As a result, fisherman plays the role in facilitating communication and building common objectives among various users, and also, in pulling up the willingness for the people to continue to the management. Through these actions, fishermen acquire the legitimacy of coastal management. It is also been clarified in this paper that it is essential for the fishermen’s group to acquire the new legitimacy to respond to social demands, and also necessary to make every effort to maintain vitality of the group, to play the successful role in coastal management.