OFCF
JAPAN
Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan
About us
The Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF Japan) was established in June, 1973, with the aims to build, maintain and enhance win-win relationships in the fisheries field between Japan and coastal countries. OFCF Japan has established strong relationships with more than 140 countries, regions and international organizations through extending technical and economic cooperation for the development and promotion of their coastal fisheries and for the effective management of international marine resources managed by the regional fisheries management organizations.
Major Activities
Technical Cooperation
Technical assistance
OFCF Japan dispatches fisheries technical experts who transfer skills of repair and maintenance of fisheries facilities such as ice-making machines, refrigerators and fishing boat engines damaged by the natural disaster and other causes. The assistance vitalizes fisheries activities and contributes capacity building of recipient countries.
Technical Cooperation project
For the purpose of contributing to the promotion of fisheries in the coastal countries, OFCF Japan extends fisheries techniques by dispatching fisheries technical experts and providing necessary materials and equipment, in the field of fisheries development, improvement of processing and distribution system, resource management and aquaculture.
Adviser
OFCF Japan dispatches advisers to coastal countries and international organizations in order to promote worldwide the concept of sustainable use of fishery resources and introduce proper resource management measures at international fora. The advisors provide advice on the basis of the principle that it is essential for appropriate resource management measures to be developed based on scientific evidences, in order to realize sustainable use of fishery resources.
Evaluation
For the purpose of contributing to the effective and efficient implementation of technical cooperation, OFCF Japan conducts yearly evaluation of each project. The result of the evaluation is utilized not only for the improvement of project management but also for the proper planning and designing of future projects. OFCF Japan established Evaluation Panel in 1998, which is composed of external experienced persons, evaluates cooperation projects and makes rerecommendations on planning method of cooperation and evaluation program, as necessary. On-site evaluation activities are also a significant function of the Panel to ensure objectivity, impartiality and credibility of the evaluation results.
Promotion of fisheries personnel exchange
1) Invitation of key officials
OFCF Japan invites high ranking fisheries officials from the coastal countries or regional fisheries organizations to deepen mutual understanding between Japan and these countries through organizing meetings with leading officials of the Fisheries Agency of Japan and the Japanese fishing industries, and study tour to the fisheries related facilities such as fish markets, fishing ports, research institutes, etc.
2) Fisheries conference
OFCF Japan promotes the exchange of views between fisheries related personnel of Japan and the coastal countries/regions with which Japan maintains close relationships in the fisheries sector, through organizing conferences on the fisheries issues.
Invitation of fisheries trainees
OFCF Japan invites and trains the government officials, researchers, etc. of coastal countries in order to provide various fisheries techniques, skills and knowledge through the following training courses;
1) On Board Training Course for Fisheries Crews: Training for fishing techniques required for crews of purse seiner is provided to those who are expected to be engaged in works on fishing boats.
2) Training Course on Stock Assessment and Management : Suitable management skills required to maintain/attain the sustainable use of fisheries resources are provided to government officials or researchers engaged in the fisheries resources management in the member countries of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).
3) Leadership Training Course on Fisheries Management and Administration : Suitable management theories and skills required to maintain/attain the sustainable use of fisheries resources are provided to government junior officials or junior researchers who are expected to be engaged in middle or high-class officials in the future.
4) Leadership Training Course on Sustainable Use of Aquatic Living Resources : Deeper knowledge and skills on the sustainable use of fisheries resources
are provided to government officials with advanced skills in the fisheries field.
Scientific observer program
In order to fully satisfy the requirements of the relevant tuna RFMOs, namely ICCAT, IATTC, IOTC, CCSBT and WCPFC, Japan has improved its scientific observer program in 2013 under the supervision of Fisheries Agency of Japan and through close cooperation with the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency and tuna fishing industries in Japan; now known as “Japan Observer Program (JOP)”. Since then, OFCF Japan has played the role of the JOP’s secretariat and has trained observers to meet the international standards and has deployed the observers to more than 900 fishing vessels (as of 2019). The data collected by the observers are conveyed to the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency and/or RFMOs for their analysis and will contribute to stock assessments as well as establishment of other fisheries management measures at the respective RFMOs.
Economic Cooperation
OFCF Japan provides soft loan to Japanese fishing companies and international organizations to cover the necessary fund to carry out cooperation projects in the overseas countries, operate in foreign fishing grounds or implement research program to promote management of international fishery resources.
Countries
Major Overseas Fishery Cooperation Programs Implemented by OFCF Japan (2013-2020)
Contact us
Headquarters
Japan Tokyo
Toranomon 30 Mori Bldg., 5th Floor 2-2, Toranomon 3, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 105-0001
TEL: +81-3-6895-5381 (General Affairs Dept.)
+81-3-6895-5382 (Financial Cooperation Dept.)
+81-3-6895-5383 (Technical Cooperation Dept.)
FAX: +81-3-6895-5388
E-mail: headoffice@ofcf.or.jp
Overseas Office
OFCF Fiji Office
Suva City New Town Hall Annexe, Suva,
Republic of Fiji
Postal Address:
OFCF Fiji Office, Private Mail Bag, Suva,
OFCF Fiji Office, Private Mail Bag, Suva,
Republic of Fiji
TEL：679-3304044／679-3304092／679-3304791
FAX：679-3304069
E-mail: ofcffijisecretary@ofcf.or.jp
OFCF FSM Office
Room#203, Moylan's Building, Kolonia, Pohnpei,
Federated States of Micronesia 96941
Postal Address:
OFCF FSM Office, P.O.Box 2112, Kolonia, Pohnpei,
OFCF FSM Office, P.O.Box 2112, Kolonia, Pohnpei,
Federated States of Micronesia 96941
TEL: 691-320-8581