Due to the growth of population and the rising in health awareness across the world, the global demand for fishery products has been rising and they continue to be one of the important sources of protein for the mankind. Therefore, sustainable use of fishery resources in all the waters, including EEZs and the high seas, has come to be of greater importance than ever before.

In order to realize it, it is required for all the distant water fishing countries and the coastal countries around the world to cooperate to appropriately manage/conserve and sustainably use the fishery resources in a responsible manner through consultations using bilateral and/or multilateral frameworks.

However, it should be noted that there are cases where the interests of respective countries and/or groups conflict within the frameworks, or environmental consideration needs to be incorporated in these consultations, and therefore decision-making process for the sustainable use is becoming increasingly complicated and difficult.

Recognizing the afore-mentioned situations, OFCF Japan will make its efforts to:
-    accurately understand the present situation on the world fisheries such as challenges on management of fishery resources including IUU fishing, and needs for fishery development of the coastal countries concerned including transition from quantity to quality in fisheries and creation of value-added products
-    provide cooperation/support, in a flexible and proactive manner, which is necessary for the sustainable development of the fishery in a responsible manner with due consideration of the above-mentioned situation/needs.

Concurrently, sustainable development of the fisheries cannot be achieved without conservation of the global environment, especially the marine environment. Engraving the sense of appreciation towards the earth and the ocean in its heart, OFCF Japan will strive for realization of sustainable fisheries through promoting cooperation and support activities which with due consideration of harmony between economic development and environmental conservation.

OFCF Japan will also endeavor to develop human and social capitals with a long-term perspective, in such a way as to establish an environment which facilitates the participation of all stakeholders including women in the fishery related activities, taking into account relevant strategies formulated by the respective countries and the important role played by fisheries in terms of the food security of the respective countries, while acknowledging the diversity of nature, traditional knowledge and values in the respective localities as well as the intentions of local stakeholders.

In order to assure the appropriate implementation of afore-mentioned activities, OFCF Japan will make strenuous efforts to build its own capacity for the improvement of its performance, by securing competent staff members/ technical experts and acquiring new and broad range of necessary knowledge and skills, through proactive exchange of opinions within OFCF Japan as well as with stakeholders.