By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau (Aug. 3, 2025) — Representatives of Japan’s fishing industry, led by Okinawan tuna fleets, are urging Palau to expand its Domestic Fishing Zone from 20% to 50% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to sustain ongoing operations amid rising costs and regulatory challenges.
In a luncheon hosted yesterday at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence, Japanese embassy officials, senior representatives from the fishing sector, and President of Belau Offshore Fisheries Inc. (BOFI) Ridep Okada Techitong met with members of the media to discuss the importance of the proposed policy shift.
Japanese Ambassador Orikasa said the gathering aimed to enlist the support of the media in informing the Palauan public about the proposed changes, emphasizing the need for greater public understanding and dialogue.
“The purpose of today’s gathering is to enhance our mutual understanding of and strengthen engagements in the fishery sector through exchanging views,” said Tokushin Yamauchi, president of the Okinawa Tuna Fisheries Association.
Yamauchi noted that prior to 2020, Okinawan fishing vessels operated across nearly all of Palau’s 200-nautical-mile EEZ. Since the current 20% zone limitation was enforced, however, operational constraints have led to declining catches and increased costs.
“With fuel prices rising, limited space to avoid false killer whales, and fewer fish, we expect more Okinawan fishermen will cease operations in Palau by 2026,” he warned.
Yamauchi also raised concerns over the economic burden borne by Okinawan fishermen. “Currently, we pay about $10,000 to operate in Palauan waters — not to the people of Palau, but to organizations such as the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency,” he said. An additional $10,000 goes toward vessel day costs, with new mandates such as Palau’s 2025 policy requiring 100% electronic monitoring (EM) further increasing expenses.
“Okinawan fishermen cannot bear further costs despite their utmost effort to comply with the limited operational area and new EM regulations,” he said. “Therefore, we sincerely request the people of Palau to expand the operational area to help sustain our livelihoods.”
He added that despite waiting five years for expanded access, there has been little movement on the issue. “We don’t know how much longer we can wait. We want to continue contributing to our bilateral relationship and maintain the tradition of fishing in Palauan waters — as we have for the past 100 years — but we may be forced to leave due to increasingly difficult conditions,” Yamauchi said.
“I strongly hope that the people of Palau will enlarge the fishing area immediately for us to continue operations in Palauan waters,” he concluded.
Among the Japanese delegation in attendance were senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the National Offshore Tuna Fisheries Association of Japan, the Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Foundation of Japan, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Palau Office.
The proposed expansion of the Domestic Fishing Zone remains under national policy consideration as stakeholders weigh economic, environmental, and sovereign resource concerns.