News Discussion

Eel Trade Restrictions Rejected, but Tougher Management Looms

At the conference of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), delegates rejected a proposal on November 27 to tighten international trade rules for all eel species, including the Japanese unagi.

When the meeting opened in Uzbekistan on November 24, the European Union (EU) and several other parties had pushed for a blanket regulation covering every eel species.

The Japanese government opposed the measure and lobbied actively against it. China and the United States also voiced their opposition. The measure faced overwhelming opposition, with 100 countries voting against it, 35 in favor, and eight abstaining.

It was formally taken up at the December 4 plenary session and ultimately shelved.

Relief Now, Scrutiny Ahead

Stakeholders breathed a sigh of relief as stricter regulations could have driven up trade prices. But while Japan's lobbying efforts succeeded this time, eel resource management remains inadequate.

The EU argued that Japanese eel stocks had declined significantly and were indistinguishable from European eel, which is already subject to an export ban. They claimed this had fueled illegal trade.

Japan responded that its eel stocks remain sufficient.

That said, stricter resource management is unavoidable. Poaching and illegal trade overseas are rampant, and pressure is growing on Japan to act responsibly as a major consumer.

Tracking the Trade

Starting in December, the Fisheries Agency will require businesses to create and keep records of domestic transactions for juvenile eels, or shirasu.

Most domestic eels are farmed, but reported catches fall far short of the quantities the agency estimates are entering aquaculture ponds.

This gap makes it essential to clarify the actual situation.

Roughly 70% of Japan's domestic eel supply now comes from imports. An estimated three-quarters of Chinese shipments are believed to originate from illegal fishing, pointing to the need to clarify distribution channels.

1. 1. tighten 引き締める
   The government plans to tighten the rules to protect endangered species.
2. 2. blanket regulation 一律規制
   The state created a blanket regulation to reduce CO2 levels from automobiles.
3. 3. shelved 棚上げされた
   The city office shelved the idea of a new bus system because of the high costs.
4. 4. rampant 横行している
   Disease is rampant in countries with no clean drinking water.
5. 5. poaching 密漁
   Education and police training have helped to stop the poaching of lions in Zimbabwe.

1. 1. Which group pushed for a blanket regulation covering every eel species?
2. 2. How many countries voted against the measure at the meeting?
3. 3. What will the Fisheries Agency require businesses to do starting in December?
4. 4. Do you think Japan should support stricter international rules on eel trade in the future? Why or why not?
5. 5. Illegal fishing is a major problem for many species, not just for eels. How can major consumer countries stop illegal fishing?

絶滅の恐れがある野生動植物を保護するためのワシントン条約の締約国会議で、ニホンウナギを含むウナギ全種類の国際取引の規制を強化する案が11月27日、否決された。規制が強化されれば、取引価格が高騰する懸念があっただけに、関係者はひとまず胸をなでおろした。今回は日本政府の説得工作が奏功した形だが、ウナギの資源管理は不十分とみられており、一大消費国として責任ある対応が求められる。

24日からウズベキスタンで始まった締約国会議では、欧州連合（EU）などがウナギ全種を規制対象にすべきだと提案。日本政府は反対の立場で、説得工作を行った。米国や中国も反対を明言した。

採決は反対が100で、賛成の35を大きく上回った。棄権は8だった。12月5日の本会議で正式決定され、規制は見送られた。

避けられぬ資源管理厳格化

EUはニホンウナギの資源量が著しく減少しているとし、すでに禁輸されているヨーロッパウナギと見分けがつかず、違法取引にもつながっていると主張。日本は資源量は十分と反論していた。

ただ、資源管理の厳格化は避けられない情勢だ。密漁や海外での不正取引が横行しており、日本には一大消費地としての責任を問う声が強まっているからだ。

水産庁は12月から稚魚のシラスウナギについて、事業者に国内での取引記録の作成や保存を義務付ける。国産ウナギのほとんどは養殖だが、水産庁が全国の養殖池に入ったと算出した量に対し、漁獲量の報告が大幅に少ないため、実態を把握する。国内の供給量の約7割を占める輸入ウナギも、中国産は約4分の3が違法漁業に由来するとの推定もあり、流通の解明が求められている。