US-Japan Second Data Symposium

Post-symposium Report, July 2022

INDEX 

  1. Event Summary
  2. Theme
  3. Goals
  4. Agenda & Presentation Materials

1. Event Summary

On June 27th and 28th (28th-29th in Japan), 2022, EDF hosted the second US-Japan Data Symposium, an online two-day workshop featuring fisheries scientists, managers, and other fisheries stakeholders from Japan and the United States. The primary purposes of the workshop were to discuss how to enhance data collection for profitable, sustainable, climate-resilient fisheries purposes, to share lessons between Japan and the United States, and to build bridges across borders and between fishery stakeholders. 

   Roughly 80 participants attended the workshop daily, with more than 100 unique participants attending the event. The Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) joined EDF as a co-host. EDF also received support and assistance from Japanese NGO partners in Japan, including Seafood Legacy, Umito Partners, and Umineko Sustainability Institute.

2. Theme

Building bridges across borders and between fishery stakeholders: Enhancing data collection for profitable, sustainable, climate-resilient fisheries

3. Goals

  • Generate buy-in among stakeholders for the deployment of integrated data collection systems that can benefit scientists, managers, and fishermen. Examples include enhanced stock assessments, management/compliance, and data-driven fishing.
  • Foster greater trust between Japanese fishermen, scientists, and managers
  • Share lessons and best practices from the US context to help inform discussions in Japan
  • Build connections between US and Japanese fishermen, managers, and scientists as a stepping stone to a future exchange to the US

4. Agenda & Presentation Materials

DAY1 Theme:

Improved fishery and ecosystem data is critical for long-term sustainability and profitability, especially in the face of changing ocean conditions

Welcome

  • Shems Jud, Japan Fisheries Oceans, EDF

Keynote

How 21st-century data systems can support thriving sustainable fisheries and foster greater climate resilience

Theme 1-1: Japan and US on existing data collection systems, costs, gaps, and opportunities/plans for improvement

Theme 1-2: Data challenges and opportunities - stock assessments, data integration, monitoring and compliance, better prediction of extreme marine events 

Closing

  • Masanori Miyahara, Advisor to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan

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DAY2 Theme: Partnering to increase profitability and performance of fisheries

Opening Remarks

  • Masanori Miyahara, Advisor to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan

Theme 2-1: Perspectives on fisher data collection - Presentations on benefits, challenges, and other considerations

  • Bob Dooley, Fisherman and Member of Pacific Fishery Management Council
    "Perspectives on data collection and participation in collection process through collaborative research"
  • Joseph Sullivan, Sullivan Law
    "Data confidentiality and access - how to maximize usage and minimize risk?"

Theme 2-2: Available technologies and data system improvements and potential benefits to fishermen and industry - traceability and markets, more efficient/climate-informed fishing etc.

Closing Remarks

  • Ichiro Nakayama, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA)