Area Capability Approach for Understanding Regional Resource Use and Community Sustainability

An Application to Hokkai Shrimp Fishery in Akkeshi, Hokkaido

Abstract

Hokkai shrimp (Pandalus latristris) is a regionally valued aquatic resource in Hokkaido, Japan. Shrimp trap fishing in the town of Akkeshi decided a year moratorium in 2007 and its fishing regulation was tightened thereafter. Since 2008, their totally allowed catch efforts have been greatly reduced, but their yields and values have increased. This article discusses an approach of Area Capability Cycle model, which aims to capture the mutuality between resource development and conservation, using the the successful endogenous turnover of Akkeshi shrimp fishery as a test study. The acceptance of scientific knowledge among shrimp fishers, cultural alignment, the network construction, and the avoidance of shame will be analyzed as key factors.