ABSTRACT
Since the establishment of 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zones, three distinct periods have characterized the Japan and Pacific island nations negotiations on tuna fisheries. In the first period (1978–1979), a period of learning on both sides, Japan and the island nations could compromise on each other’s requirements without serious confrontation. In the second period (1980–1983), as the island nations began to seek coordination with each other, negotiations were difficult, with little compromise. Finally, in the third period (1984 to the present), compromise and realistic assessments have become more prevalent. A major change in the payments schemes was made from a lump-sum to a per-vessel entry fee system. Under this current system, the fishing fee per month is a function of (1) the average catch per trip per vessel class, based on the last three years’ average catch in the respective EEZ, and (2) an average price, based on the last three months’ results recorded in the three largest Japanese landing ports. The average catch is fixed for one year beginning on May 1, whereas the average price is automatically adjusted along with changes in market prices.
The presence of Soviet fishing vessels in Pacific island waters since 1985, and the resulting U.S. marine policy change concerning tuna ownership, may eventually affect the fisheries’ negotiations between Japan and the Pacific island nations.
The role of and expectations for the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency are continually growing in the region. Although the mix of bilateral and multilateral approaches is expected to continue, the trend is toward the multilateral. As UNCLOS III takes effect and the tuna’s highly migratory nature is recognized, thereby qualifying tuna for status as a species in the common heritage, the bilateral will yield to multilateral management strategy. Both the coastal and the distant-water fishing nations will be responsible for establishing an appropriate international institution charged with the difficult and weighty tasks of ensuring conservation and promoting optimum utilization throughout the region, both within and beyond the EEZs. The recent history of tuna fisheries’ negotiations in the Pacific island region indicates the importance of fair and rational, but practical, solutions to all participants.
