JAPAN DEFENDS POSITION ON CONSERVATION OF

UNCLAS TOKYO 000422 SENSITIVE SIPDIS OES/OA FOR GBISBAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV KSCA JA SUBJECT: JAPAN DEFENDS POSITION ON CONSERVATION OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN REF: STATE 8292 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: EST Chief and LES Environment Specialist delivered demarche in ref to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fisheries Division Officer Daisuke Kiryu and Fisheries Agency of Japan International Affairs Division Officer Wataru Tanoue February 5. In response, Kiryu said Japan sees no reason for 100 percent scientific observer coverage on krill fishery vessels at the moment. While the GOJ recognizes the importance of observers, he said 50 percent coverage is the fisheries industry standard and cited U.S. tuna fisheries coverage as an example. Kiryu added the GOJ is aware of the disagreement with the U.S. and others on this issue, but, since it does not see a scientific necessity, "cost performance" would be the GOJ's guide. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Tanoue noted the current total take of krill is only around 100,000 tons, which is well below the 620,000 ton trigger, and is not endangering the stock. He also cited the past increase in observers from 30 percent to 50 percent as progress. EST Chief responded that the vast majority of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) members believe the science supports 100 percent coverage, especially for an initial period to gather data, and added the USG hopes Japan will engage in a forthright scientific dialogue on the subject. ¶3. (SBU) Regarding the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPA),Tanoue said the GOJ believes the existence of the Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA),other Specially Protected Areas (SPA),and other conservation measures in the Southern Ocean are sufficient, and does not see the need for the MPA. He said the GOJ wants a balance between conservation and reasonable use. As opposed to a new framework, Japan wants to follow existing methods, but he added they would participate in any discussion on the issue. ¶4. (SBU) Moving to the issue of methods to subdivide the krill catch among small scale management units (SSMU),Tanoue said the SSMU calculation method is still being developed. When the scientific committee has decided on a method, he said Japan would follow it. He added that the GOJ is interested in how the discussion in the scientific committee progresses. ¶5. (SBU) Post is following up with industry and media contacts on the issue and will report those findings septel. ZUMWALT