Taiwan–Japan Satoumi Exchange Explores Synergies Among Fisheries, Renewable Energy, and Ecological Conservation

Group photo of distinguished guests at the Taiwan–Japan Satoumi Exchange Forum.

To promote Taiwan's satoumi economy and seek win-win opportunities in fisheries, renewable energy, and ecological conservation, environmental groups such as the Matzu Fish Conservation Union and the Taiwan Renewable Energy Alliance, along with institutions like the Fisheries Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, organized the Taiwan-Japan Satoumi Exchange Forum. The forum invited Japanese satoumi scholars, including Professor Takeshi Hidaka, Professor Shinichiro Kakuma, Mr. Takayuki Handa, Vice President of the Fukuoka Fisheries Cooperative, and Mr. Kotaro Ogami, a key figure in the Hakata Bay seagrass restoration project, to share Japan's satoumi experiences. These experts exchanged ideas with Taiwanese academics, organizations, fishermen groups, and the renewable energy industry. After the events in Taipei and the Keelung Fisheries Research Institute, the forum will continue to Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin to engage with local communities.

Professor Takeshi Hidaka is an Emeritus Professor at Kinki University, specializing in satoumi and coastal area management systems from a social science perspective. In recent years, he has focused on leveraging local resources to build satoumi management frameworks. Professor Shinichiro Kakuma of Saga University specializes in linking social and natural sciences to research satoumi and marine protected area management, with particular attention to cases in Okinawa and the Pacific Islands. Mr. Takayuki Handa, Vice President of the Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative and Chair of the Hakata Bay Fishery Rights Management Committee, has worked in trawling and fishing in Hakata Bay. Since becoming head of the Iwaki branch in 2018, he has been committed to marine environmental protection in the bay. Mr. Kotaro Ogami collaborates with local fisheries cooperatives and municipalities to conduct coastal environment surveys and conservation actions, including the seagrass (e.g., dwarf eel grass) restoration project in Hakata Bay. The exchange delegation includes both scholars and fishery practitioners, facilitating practical experience sharing with Taiwan's fishing communities and research institutions.

Takeshi Hidaka, Emeritus Professor of Kinki University.

Shinichiro Kakuma, Professor of Saga University.

Chen Chun-Lung, a researcher at the Fisheries Research Institute, explained that the satoumi concept builds upon the satoyama initiative, emphasizing human coexistence with the sea and aiming for sustainable development of coastal socio-ecological systems. Taiwan's public, private, academic, and environmental sectors have increasingly recognized the need to seek development models that create win-win outcomes for marine users, fisheries, and marine resource conservation. Environmental groups in Taiwan also understand that without aligning fishery and conservation interests, top-down policies are hard to implement. With support from Formosa 2 Wind Power, the Fisheries Agency, and the Ocean Affairs Council, the forum invited two Japanese scholars and two fishery representatives to exchange experiences. Deputy Director-General Lin Ting-Jung of the Fisheries Agency and Director-General Wu Long-Jing of the Department of Marine Resources, Ocean Conservation Administration also participated in the forum to share Taiwan's marine conservation experiences.

Megan Kuo, a researcher at the Wild at Heart Taiwan, noted that the depletion of marine resources is well known, especially along the heavily developed west coast. However, conservation efforts have not kept pace with environmental degradation, exemplified by the declining population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. If marine resources recover, so will fisheries and dolphin populations, and vice versa. Thus, identifying a win-win marine resource management model is essential to prevent extinction and preserve fishing cultures. Chen Bing-Heng, Chairman of the Matzu Fish Conservation Union, stated that while offshore wind development is part of Taiwan's carbon reduction efforts, it has impacted marine ecosystems. As these wind farms reach completion, efforts should be made immediately to restore marine resources. The satoumi economy is a promising direction, and this exchange aims to provide insights for groups, fishers, and academics concerned with the sustainable development of Taiwan's west coast fisheries.

Kao Ru-Ping, Chairperson of the Taiwan Renewable Energy Alliance, added that the recent extreme weather events in central and southern Taiwan highlight the serious challenges posed by climate change. The original intention of promoting renewable energy was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate risks. However, conflicts have arisen due to overlapping use of marine space between offshore wind farms and fisheries. As wind farms transition into the operations and maintenance phase, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies are essential for community integration. For instance, Formosa 2 Wind Power, one of the main sponsors of the forum, has long been involved in community-based efforts, integrating academic research with grassroots participation. It has promoted various initiatives covering fishery transformation, ecological conservation, environmental education, and resource management — including partnerships with National Cheng Kung University and National Taiwan Ocean University on wetland conservation in Xihu, fishery resource surveys, and the training of inspection technicians. These can be seen as examples of offshore wind, marine, and fisheries co-prosperity. The Alliance recommends consolidating resources such as community benefit funds or electricity-related funds across developers to collectively support the satoumi initiative on the west coast, creating opportunities for win-win outcomes in renewable energy, sustainable fisheries, and ecological conservation.

During the forum, Professor Kakuma explained that Japan's marine ecosystems are also affected by global warming and poor water quality, with coral reefs in Okinawa facing mass die-offs. Coral restoration efforts have already planted over a million corals and have shown signs of fishery resource recovery. However, extreme weather continues to threaten these gains. Professor Hidaka emphasized that promoting satoumi requires clear strategies ranging from local fishery groups to inter-municipal cooperation. Hakata Bay, where fishers and environmental NGOs collaborate, serves as a good example. He suggested that the sea's productivity should not be viewed solely as fisheries but as "marine industries," where maintaining ecological quality can generate diverse economic opportunities.

Mr. Takayuki Handa, Vice President of the Fukuoka Fisheries Cooperative.

Mr. Kotaro Ogami, Representative Director of Beason-Japan.

Vice President Handa noted that Hakata Bay has many satoumi organizations, some run by fishers, others by NGOs or government. Marine resource restoration has increased opportunities for young people to return to fishing. In Hakata, the average age of fishers is around 50, younger than in other parts of Japan, largely due to successful restoration. Mr. Ogami, a former diving instructor, added that most diving clubs consist of people in their 20s. He encourages these groups to propose conservation initiatives, fostering a younger generation's participation in marine protection through recreation. In Hakata Bay, environmental NGOs and local fishing associations maintain strong collaboration.

Addressing media concerns about offshore wind and fisheries development, Mr. Handa acknowledged that offshore wind power is one of the most promising methods for reducing greenhouse gases. Fish aggregation near wind turbines has been observed, and although win-win examples are still lacking, integrating cage aquaculture or pole-and-line fishing near turbines might help support both conservation and fishery development. However, realizing such concepts will require joint planning among governments, fisher organizations, and environmental NGOs.

On August 5, the forum held a major session in the morning in Taipei, followed by experience-sharing at the Fisheries Research Institute in the afternoon. The delegation will then head to Miaoli for an offshore wind field visit and engage in exchange events with fishermen in Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin. The Japanese delegation will also experience the Fangyuan sea cow culture and learn about how local fishers previously opposed Kuokuang petrochemical project and promoted ecotourism. This exchange specially invited Japanese fisher representatives to share hands-on satoumi economic experiences with Taiwanese fishers. Mr. Handa of the Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative stated that he would also bring the experiences from this Taiwan visit back to the upcoming general assembly of the cooperative in Fukuoka. It is hoped that this will pave the way for future Taiwan-Japan cooperation in the satoumi economy.