The China-Japan Fishery Cooperation Dialogue was held in Shanghai on May 26. The event was co-chaired by officials from MARA Bureau of Fisheries of China and the Fisheries Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.     

The two sides exchanged updates on the development and management of their respective fisheries sectors, with a particular focus on the monitoring, assessment, conservation, and sustainable management of fishery resources in the East China Sea. The Chinese delegation outlined recent achievements in promoting green aquaculture, strengthening offshore fishery oversight, regulating distant-water fishing operations, enhancing the conservation of aquatic resources, and cracking down on illegal fishing activities. The Japanese delegation provided an overview of recent reforms to its fishery resource assessment and management framework, along with the latest evaluation results of pelagic species such as mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the East China Sea.The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern, including strengthening the conservation and management of eel resources. 

As part of the event, the delegates jointly visited the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences and the Shanghai Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Center to gain a better understanding of China’s practices in fishery resource investigation and the conservation of species such as the Chinese sturgeon. 

Both recognized the sound foundation and broad prospects for bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector. Both agreed that the conservation of East China Sea fishery resources is a shared responsibility and emphasized the importance of maintaining close communication, strengthening dialogue and exchanges, and enhancing mutual understanding and trust. Both sides expressed their commitment to further solidify cooperation, broaden areas of cooperation, and jointly promote the sound development of fisheries as well as the sustainable utilization of marine resources in the East China Sea.