EAST ASIAN FISHING ACTIVITY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Sequence Number: 90
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 42008/03/31:
CIA-RDP85TOO875RO01 900010(
Approved For Release
2008/03/31
5TOO875 ROO 1900010
 Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP85T00875RO01900010090-8
~,ast T:~:i~:n 1"i c;iing Activity in
the South Pacific
Attached are ? o data on East Asian fishing activity
in the South Pacific roquasi:e('by
project has Loan assigned nur,acr 5--5784.
STAT
Attachmen u; :
As stated
1 - D/OER
1 - D/I
Distribution: (S-5784)
Original & 1 - Addressee
1 - SA/ER
(28DEC73)
;tL':t0 u.;Ir)U:.t r'OR: Philip .Anderson
SAIL' .1
STAT SU 3J1,CT
STAT
Approved For Release 2008/03/31: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01900010090-8
 Approved For Release 2008/03/31 CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
EAST ASIAN FISHING ACTIVITY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Until recently, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
relied primarily on coastal and.offshore fishing for the
bulk of their catch, but as pollution and dwindling
reserves cut deeper into production they became increasingly
interested in exploiting new areas. Thus far, most deep
sea fishing has been in northern Pacific waters; probably
less than 7% of the countries' total fish catch comes from
southern Pacific waters. Japan's production from the
South -- the largest by the three countries -- totalled
about 600,000 tons in 1972.
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan all nre anxious to
increase their production from the South Pacific. Taiwan
began trawling operations in Australia's northern waters
last year and is planning significant increases in its
deep sea fishing fleet during the next several years. The
Japanese have been the most active, however, and already
are moving to ensure their fishing rights throughout the
Pacific. They have established fishing bases and processing
centers in the South Pacific islands and in Southeast Asia
and have entered several joint ventures in South America.
In addition, the Japanese have established at least nine
wholly or jointly owned processing plants in the United
States, primarily in Alaska and Washington.
Approved For Release 2008/03/31: CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
 Approved For Release 2008/03/31: CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
JAPAN
Production (thousand metric tbns)
By area caught:.
1971
1972
Total
9,900
10,100
Deep-sea
3,670.
3,840
Offshore
3,940
3,890
Coastal
1,930
1,910
Other
360
460
By major species:
Total
9,908
Fish
8,021
Cod, Alaska pollack
2,803
Mackerel
1,254
Sardine, round herring,
and anchovy
455
Flounder, halibut, sole
348
Pompano
316
Sand eel
272
Saury
19 0
Skipjack
172
Salmon
15.6
Atka mackerel
147
Yellow Tail
110
Herring
100
Bigeye tuna
89
Albacore
88
Yellow fin tuna
71
Swordfish
53
Croaker
50
Bluefin tuna
48
Shark
44
Carp
34
Sea bream
24
Shellfish
534
Other
marine animals
766
Squid
364
Devil fish
86
Lobster, shrimp
56
Crabs
75
Seaweud
587
Fishing vessels
(1971) :
Number
Gross tonnac
Non-powered
97,G13
67,397
Powered
276,903
2,464,037
Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
 Approved For Release 2008/03/31 CIA-RDP85T00875RO01900010090-8
SOUTH KOREA
Production (thousand metric tons)
By area caught:
1971 1972
Total
Deep-sea
Coastal
Fresh water
Aquaculture
Whaling
By major type:
1,073 1,343
159 224
764 956
1 1
147 160
.2 2
1972
Fish
9~8
Crustaceans
23
Mollusks
231
Other marine animals
12
Seaweed
Deep-sea catch by species:
129
Tuna
98
Alaskan
Squid,
other
pollack
sea bream,
108
Fishing vessels (1971) :
Number
Gross Tonnage
Non-powered
53,612
85,393
Powered
14,657
307,256
of which:
Distant water
351
108f850.
Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP85T00875RO01900010090-8
 Approved For Release 2008/03/31: CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8
1971
1972
Total
650
694
Deep-sea
294
345
Inshore
251
243
Coastal
28
25
Culture
77
81
By major species:
Tuna
90
Sardines
38
Lobster, prawn, shrimp
37
Sharks
36
Millfish
30
Mackerels
22
Skipjack, frigate
mackerels
22
Lizard fish
22
Croaker
20
Trichsurus japonicus
17
Marlin, sailfish
16
Bigeve tuna
14
Cuttlefish, squid
14
Pompano
14
Oysters
12
Sea bream
12
Tilapia
.11
Sharp toothed eel
9
Crabs
8
Coat fish
8
Other
190
Fishing vessels (1971):
Non-powered
Powered
Number
15,563
10,247
Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP85T00875R001900010090-8