The Thirtieth Joint Meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting was held from December 2-8, 2001 in Sarasota and Central Florida. The business meeting and symposium were held on December 2-4 in Sarasota, Florida at the Mote Marine Laboratory. The theme of the symposium was "Ecology of Aquaculture Species and Enhancement of Stocks".
Dr. Ken Leber, Director of the Center for Fisheries Enhancement at Mote Marine Laboratory and Dr. James P. McVey, Chair of the U.S. delegation, NOAA/National Sea Grant College Program, opened the joint meeting by welcoming Dr. Yasuaki Nakamura, Chair, and the entire Japan delegation.
Opening Remarks
Dr. McVey then addressed the delegations with his opening remarks.
Dr. McVey welcomed Dr. Nakamura and the Japanese delegation to the 30th UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting. He also thanked Mote Marine Laboratory for hosting the meeting. This is the first UJNR Aquaculture Panel meeting in which a private institution has hosted. Dr. McVey emphasized that this is the final year of the Fifth 5-Year Plan, and that discussions of the next 5-Year plan will be very important during this meeting. He added that this entire UJNR meeting should be used wisely to discuss this plan.
Dr. McVey said that the last five years have been a very active period in UJNR. The meetings have been well attended, with many meetings attracting over 100 participants. He mentioned that using the web to increase communication has just begun to bring real benefits to UJNR collaboration. He said that a strong collaboration in flounder research, including both students and scientists, has been a strong aspect of UJNR cooperation. Proceedings have been published quicker (with some available now on the web) and specialized delegations, such as last year's shellfish delegation, have nurtured information exchange. All of this collaboration has occurred while aquaculture science has been developing quickly and environmental concerns have added an extra dimension to the field.
Dr. McVey noted that today is a time of great change in both countries for aquaculture. Both sides are reorganizing their structure of aquaculture research. The U.S. is attempting to change the perception of aquaculture in the U.S. during the next five years. The U.S. is looking to work with Japan on environmentally sound aquaculture practices. The U.S. side has had national competitions for aquaculture, and, in an attempt to include both federal and external science communities, the National Marine Fisheries Service and university scientists have both participated in this competition.
The U.S. side is looking toward the holistic management of ecosystems for aquaculture and fisheries. On-shore recirculating systems, offshore aquaculture, and marine stock enhancement are three priority areas. Aquaculture management and research is increasingly complex, requiring a multi-disciplinary, multi-person, multi-institution approach. In addition, industry partners need to become more involved.
Dr. McVey continued by saying that he sees many common areas of interest with the Japanese. The challenge in the subsequent days will be to refine the issues, with UJNR being a guide for expressing joint U.S-Japan interests in aquaculture. Included in this cooperation should be a unified effort to improve UJNR's public relations with government agencies.
Dr. McVey added that strong research and collaboration will be encouraged in the area of coastal ecosystem modeling, with aquaculture included in the modeling studies. This is just one example of how aquaculture and fisheries can work together. The U.S. and Japan share an opportunity to combine fisheries and aquaculture to improve the marketing, exports, and pricing of fishery products in both countries.
Dr. McVey concluded that fisheries enhancement (one of the theme's for this year's meeting) will continue to be a focus of U.S.-Japan collaboration. Since both countries are experiencing great change in their administrations, now is a good time to define the areas of collaboration, with the challenge being to focus on key areas of mutual interest.
Dr. Yasuaki Nakamura, Chair of the Japan delegation and Director of the Japan Fisheries Research Agency and Director General of the National Research Institute of Aquaculture (NRIA), thanked Dr. McVey and the U.S. delegation for their extensive efforts in organizing the meeting. He then began his opening remarks.
The unpredictable terrorism on September 11 not only came upon American citizens
with a tremendous shock, but also made Japanese people feel very sorry for them.
Please accept our sincere condolences and we are hoping for the complete eradication
of terrorism. We thank all of those who worked very hard to hold this meeting
despite this difficult time.
In 2001 "Ichiro", a Japanese baseball player, did a very good job in the field of baseball. Following this, I hope that collaboration between the U.S. and Japan in other various fields will expand. Unfortunately, a number of activities have been affected by terrorism. However, I also hope "KOIZUMI, Jun'ichiro," the prime minister of Japan, will be able to bring us a bright future for U.S.-Japan collaboration.
As the first meeting of this century, this meeting is very important because many things have been happening since the last meeting, such as the inauguration of the new president of the United States.
As many of you already know, in Japan, almost all governmental research institutes became "independent self-supporting governmental institutions" and they started their research under new organization management on April 1, 2001. Since then, the Fisheries Research Center has been making progress toward the middle-term strategic plan, which is provided by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
While almost all kinds of fisheries productions are decreasing in Japan, aquaculture has continued to produce 20% of all fisheries products and it has been playing a very important role, which will hopefully help stablize food supply in the 21st century. Therefore, the middle term strategic plan is focusing on the analysis of the function of aquatic life, active stock enhancement and technology for aquaculture.
Based on last year's agreement, I hope we will be able to have substantial discussions and obtain fulfilling results about the following topics: common profits in the process to accomplish each country's goal; methods to disseminate our activities; follow-up for the past activities; and cooperative research mechanisms.
I hope that this year's symposium topic, "Ecology of Aqauaculture Species and Enhancement of Stocks" will lead to active discussions that bring us to a successful conclusion of the fifth 5-Year plan.
We appreciate this opportunity to visit the sites of aquaculture in the state of Florida in order to further our understanding of American aquaculture.
I thank both countries' people for working very hard to prepare this meeting, even though it has been very tough time due to the national tragedy. We will give you an enthusiastic welcome to the next meeting in Japan.
Dr. McVey thanked Dr. Nakamura for his remarks and added that we cannot let terrorism stop U.S.-Japan aquaculture collaboration. Dr. McVey also thanked the Japanese for their hospitality at the 29th UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting.
Introduction of Panel Members, Participants, and Observers
Dr. Nakamura then introduced the members of the Japan delegation: Dr. Tetsuo Seki, Deputy Secretary General, National Reasearch Institute of Aquaculture (NRIA); Dr. Makoto Yamasaki, secretary, NRIA, Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta, secretary, NRIA Nikko Branch; Dr. Kazuya Nasagawa, NRIA Nikko Branch; Dr. Masashi Sekino, Tohuko National Fisheries Research Institute; Dr. Toyomitsu Horii, National Research Institute of Fisheries Science; Dr. Tesuo Fujii, Japan Sea National Fisheries Research Institute; Dr. Takeshi Murai, National Fisheries University; Dr. Osamu Tominaga, Fukui Prefectural University; and Dr. Toshihiro Shigeta, National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea.
Dr. McVey introduced the members of the U.S. delegation: Dr. Kenneth Leber, Meeting Coordinator, Mote Marine Laboratory; Dr. Conrad Mahnken, Vice Chair, NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS); Dr. William Heard, Secretary General, NOAA/NMFS; Dominic Preiswerk, Deputy Secretary General, NOAA Research International Activities Office, Dr. Paul Kilho Park, Advisor; Dr. James Sullivan, Hawaii Sea Grant, Science Exchange Official; Dr. Charles Helsley, Hawaii Sea Grant College Program; Dr. Robert Iwamoto, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center; Eileen McVey, NOAA Central Library, Literature Exchange Official; Kunikazu Shimamoto, NOAA Research International Activities Office; Dr. Robert Stickney, Texas Sea Grant, Dr. Anthony Calabrese, NOAA/NMFS; Ms. Linda Chaves, NMFS; Dr. Ronald Goldberg, NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center; Dr. Thomas McIlwain, NMFS; and Dr. Tomas Jamir, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
Procedural Matters
Dr. McVey and Dr. Nakamura introduced the rapporteurs, Mr. Preiswerk of the U.S. side and Dr. Ikuta of the Japan side.
General Discussion
Evaluation of Fifth 5-Year Plan
Dr. Nakamura presented an achievements paper describing the themes of joint
meetings and cooperative projects during the fifth 5-Year Plan. The U.S. side
asked for an English translation, and the Japanese side agreed to do so.
Identification of Common Areas
The Japanese side presented a list of eight areas that have been identified
by their government as priority areas for aquaculture research and technology.
They are:
1. Sustainable use of fisheries resources
2. Improvement of aquaculture technology
3. Ecosystem studies for improved management and restoration
4. Sustainable fisheries management
5. Improvement of fisheries supply to meet demands of the consumer
6. Establishment of "brisk aquaculture region"
7. Functional analysis of aquatic life and utilization technology upgrades
8. Research promotion for international aspects
The U.S. side agreed that many of the Japanese priority areas are consistent with those of the U.S. The U.S. side recognized stock enhancement, pollution abatement, superior strain production, disease prevention and mitigation, and aquaculture management as areas of special value for continued collaboration.
UJNR Public Relations
There was general agreement that the activities of UJNR Aquaculture need to
be communicated more effectively in the future. Proposed remedies for this situation
include better communication between UJNR officials and agency leaders and improved
follow-up of current collaborative programs.
The Japanese side presented a list of possible actions to solidify UJNR activities and enhance the communication of UJNR successes to agency leaders:
The U.S. side agreed to take these points into consideration.
Research Cooperation
The Japanese side proposed three types of collaborative research for the future.
They include:
The U.S. side was agreeable to this recommendation. The U.S. and Japanese sides agreed that more collaboration in each of the three areas was needed. Both sides also agreed that a means for identifying research partners was necessary, and that UJNR could fill this role.
Establishment of Sub-committees
With the agreement that UJNR Aquaculture would benefit from increased communication,
cataloging of past achievements, and rigorous examination of future collaborative
topics, the U.S. side proposed establishing three sub-committees to address
these issues. With agreement from the Japanese side, the following sub-committees
were established:
Each group was asked to prepare a strategy for addressing their issue before the end of the 30th Meeting. Their reports are attached at the end of this document.
New Business
Dr. Mahnken of the U.S. side reported that he is looking for a Japanese researcher
to work with the U.S. side to develop culture methods for rockfish and ling
cod, which is nearly extinct in Puget Sound. The U.S. side would like to establish
contact with such a Japanese researcher at the Kobe conference, and is willing
to travel to Hokkaido to visit Dr. Sakurai, a possible collaborator. Dr. Mahnken
asked for such an effort to be sanctioned under UJNR. The Japanese side agreed
to assist.
Dr. Seki reported that the Japanese National Research Institute for Aquaculture (NRIA) has been tasked by the Japanese government to create new aquaculture industries. Presently they are focusing on deep sea water use and the application of function chemicals as hot topics.
Dr. Seki also reported that in Japan there is currently a large effort to evaluate Japanese organizations and research management. The Japanese would like to assemble a list of scientists as possible evaluators in various fields. The U.S. side requested a list of fields covered, and will provide names of U.S. candidates upon receipt of this list.
Plans For Next Joint Meeting
Dr. Nakamura announced that the 31st UJNR Aquaculture Meeting will be held in
Tokyo or Ise with a mini symposium scheduled for Shiogama in the Sendai region.
Scientist Exchange Program
Dr. Sullivan presented a list of the two U.S. delegations comprising 14 scientists who visited Japan since November, 2000 to carry out work under the UJNR Aquaculture Panel. (Appendix).
Dr. Seki reported that one Japanese scientist visited the U.S. to cooperate in activities pertinent to the UJNR (Appendix).
Literature Exchange Report
Ms. McVey reported that 103 reprints published since 1998 were collected from varioius research institutes and universities. She handed over the list to the Japanese delegation. (Appendix VIII).
Dr. Ikuta reported that 11 articles and reprints were collected, and they were handed over to the U.S. delegation (Appendix).
Cooperative Studies Program
The Japanese side reported that cooperation continues with flounder research and feels that such cooperation should continue. It was also reported that Dr. Yada continues to study in the U.S. under such cooperative programs.
The U.S. agreed that continuing flounder research is important and suggested that such cooperation be extended to coastal ecosystem modeling. The Japanese side agreed.
Publications
The Japanese side distributed copies of the 29th UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting proceedings. In return, the U.S. side promised to publish the 30th UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting proceedings before the next meeting.
Field Trips
Dr. Leber announced that the field trips would begin at 8 am on Wednesday, December 5. A copy of the field trip agenda is attached (Appendix).
Conclusion
Dr. Nakamura thanked the U.S. delegation for hosting the 30th UJNR Meeting, and particularly emphasized that areas of joint interest have emerged, and appropriate action should be taken. Dr. McVey and Dr. Nakamura announced that all business had been concluded. The 30th joint business meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting was then adjourned.
December 2, 2001
Dr. James P. McVey
U.S. Chairman
Dr. Yasuaki Nakamura
Japanese Chairman
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