Living on the Coast

Abstract

This chapter explores the social aspects of fishing in Hinase to further understand why restoration activity has continued for a long time. Hinase fishers have employed systems relevant to resource management since the Edo period (1603–1868) that can be seen from the conflict mediation measures developed under the special fishing privilege called “Kako-no-ura.” From the Meiji to Taisho periods (1868–1926), when the population increased and fishery technology advanced, fishers implemented systems such as lotteries to regulate the limited fishing grounds, seasonal sea-closing areas called “Tome shiyo/Tome umi,” and protected forest areas for marine resource conservation called “Uwotsuki-rin.” During the Showa period (1926–1989), marine degradation became more obvious due to rapid coastal development and industrialization. All sorts of waste were dumped into the sea, and fish catch decreased significantly, negatively affecting Hinase fishers’ livelihoods. On those days, the Tsuboami set net fishers’ group started eelgrass restoration, and small-scale trawlers in the O-kogi group started marine litter clean up. These measures were taken according to each fishers’ group initiative or by the HFCA as a whole, but after fishers from different groups started to undertake oyster farming as well, the natural resource management attitudes of fishers shifted toward even greater unification.