article
Territorial regulation in the small-scale fisheries of Itoman, Okinawa
Senri ethnological studies • (17) • Published In 1984 • Pages: 89-120
By: Akimichi, Tomoya.
Abstract
This is a case study of territorial rights in the small-scale inshore fisheries of the southern Okinawa county of Itoman. Akimichi examines the variables outside of formal regulations that impinge on territorial rights. He focuses on one kind of fishing called AMBUSHI or stake netting. Stake nets are a v-shaped net with a basket at the bottom of the 'v'. Fish are funneled into the basket by the ebb tide. In the past, this type of fishing was the exclusive domain of one descent group (MUNCHU). Ambushi fishermen meet once a year to decide use rights and resolve disputes. Prior claim is honored and ambushi fishermen stake out claims to reserve sites. Nets must not overlap and in some cases fishermen must ask the permission of neighboring fihermen. Yields are unpredictable due to typhoon effects, recovery cycles, spawning season, etc. Akimichi also looks at fixed net fishing, which competes with stake netting.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- East Asia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnographer
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2000
- Field Date
- 1979-1982
- Coverage Date
- 1980-1983
- Coverage Place
- Itoman, Okinawa, Japan
- Notes
- Tomoya Akimichi
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-119)
- LCCN
- 82641261
- LCSH
- Ryukyuans