Transformation of Regional Fisheries by Soaring Prices of Precious Coral

A Case of Kashiwajima, South-west End of Shikoku Area

Abstract

The price of precious coral has been soaring in relation to increasing in the global demand. Given this situation, the economic and political dynamism over precious coral is also affecting the regional fisheries in specific local area.

In Kashiwajima Island, precious coral fishery has been rapidly expanded in response to the soaring prices of precious coral. In contrast, other small-scale fisheries were greatly diminished. Fishermen came to seek raw Paracorallium japonicum, and it was inferred that precious coral resources was getting worse to some extent. Such a change was also induced by the experiences of precious coral fishery and low economy of other fisheries. To make precious coral fishery sustainable, it is important to support regional fisheries as a whole.