Please join us for a seminar by Dr Misako Matsuba (Kyoto University) on “Rethinking small-scale fisheries: people, culture, and sustainability”.
Presenter: Dr Misako Matsuba (Kyoto University)
Title: “Rethinking small-scale fisheries: people, culture, and sustainability”
When: 1:00pm-2:00pm, Thurs 12th June 2025
Where: Flexspace (IMAS Salamanca) and online: https://utas.zoom.us/j/84883350168
Bio: I am an ecological researcher to address biodiversity conservation (Ph.D. in Agricultural Science but Bachelor of Economics). While placing strong emphasis on fieldwork, I have advanced research combining statistical modeling, phylogenetic approaches, and scenario analysis. Recently, I have expanded my interest in bridging humanities-based approaches with quantitative methods, exploring ways to link ecological data with human behavior and cultural narratives to deepen understanding of marine ecosystem services. I aim to further promote transdisciplinary research to unravel the interactions between the biosphere and human systems. In my free time, I enjoy venturing into the mountains and the sea with a book in hand.
Summary: Amid declining fishery resources caused by overfishing, small-scale fisheries—characterized by balanced harvest fisheries—hold potential for sustainable fisheries. Small-scale fisheries account for 60% of global fish catches and provide employment for over 90% of the world’s fishers (FAO 2018). They also play an important role from a socio-cultural perspective, supporting unique local fishing communities and cultures. However, compared to large-scale fisheries, small-scale fisheries face numerous disadvantages in terms of geographic and financial conditions. In developed countries, they are further threatened by a shortage of successors and shifts in food culture, leading to a steady decline.
In this seminar, I will present the current situation surrounding small-scale fisheries in Japan’s remote island regions, while introducing initiatives aimed at creating direct connections between fishers and consumers. I will also discuss a research proposal that seeks to unravel the interlinked structures of fishing communities by integrating humanities-based approaches with statistical and mathematical modeling.
