894.628/9–2349
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
No. 665
[Received September 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to the Department a copy of a General Headquarters memorandum to the Japanese Government (Scapin 2046), dated September 19, 1949,1 concerning the area authorized for Japanese fishing and whaling.
Scapin 2046 rescinds Scapin 1033 of June 22, 1964, by which the authorized fishing area was originally established, and Scapin [Page 866] 1033/1 of December 23, 1948, by which the boundary of the fishing area in the waters between Hokkaido and the Habomai Islands was more accurately defined. By the new memorandum to the Japanese Government the authorized fishing area is extended eastward from 165° east longitude to 180° east longitude between 24° and 40° north latitude. In addition, Japanese vessels operating within the fishing area are now permitted to approach to within three miles of any land area not under the present administration of the Japanese Government lying within the authorized fishing area. Under Scapin 1033 Japanese vessels were not permitted to approach closer than twelve miles to any non-Japanese territory within the fishing area. The only land areas presently affected by the change from a twelve- to a three-mile limitation are the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands.
In a statement to the press on September 21, Mr. W. C. Harrington, Acting Chief of the Natural Resources Section, said that the extension of the area and the reduction of the twelve-mile to a three-mile limitation were authorized “in recognition of the effective work being done by the Japanese Government and [fishing]2 industry to control violations and over-fishing”. The Natural Resources Section estimates that the new waters added to the fishing area will produce between 60 and 70 million pounds of fish annually, principally albacore and tuna. While this increase represents only a small percentage of Japan’s annual catch, estimated at seven billion pounds, tuna and albacore are classified as luxury fish which not only bring high prices in the domestic market but are also suited for export.
Mr. Herrington also indicated in his statement to the press that patrol craft of the newly-established Fisheries Inspection Fleet will patrol the new area. He also revealed that 33 Japanese fishing vessels have been seized by Chinese patrols and that two have been sunk, while at least ten Japanese craft have been seized by Soviet patrols. Mr. Herrington further stated that some of the Japanese vessels confiscated by the Chinese were within the limits of the authorized fishing area at the time of seizure (this Mission’s despatches no. 553 of August 13, no. 573 of August 23, and no. 638 of September 15, 19493).
The reduction of the twelve-mile limitation to three miles is based in part upon the necessity to bring Japanese fishing operations within the authorized area into conformity with internationally accepted principles and the policy of Relaxing restrictions upon Japanese activities wherever such restrictions are no longer necessary. The twelve-mile limitation was originally imposed in Scapin 1033 primarily as a security measure, the need for which is considered no longer to exist. Moreover, the twelve mile limit as prescribed by Scapin 1033 would have constituted a serious obstacle in the event it is decided to extend [Page 867] the fishing area in the Hokkaido–Kuril-Habomai area (this Mission’s despatch no. 594 of August 29, 19494).
Japanese reaction to extension of the authorized fishing area has been most favorable. Five copies of editorial comment from the Nippon Times of September 23 are enclosed.4 This editorial especially notes that General Headquarters had previously in June 1949 rejected a Japanese request for enlargement of the fishing area. The present action by General Headquarters is, therefore, interpreted as recognition of the efforts being made by the Japanese Government and the fishing industry to prevent violations of the fishing area by Japanese fishermen and to enforce a sound conservation program which will prevent over-exploitation of the authorized fishing grounds.
Respectfully yours,