Aquaculture : The status and outlook of international cooperative research

This past October, the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARC) was reorganized into the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), with the creation of a new division in the area of fisheries. The newly-inaugurated Fisheries Division is expected to play a role in promoting continued and smooth fisheries research. Especially now, it is of utmost importance to have a precise grasp and understanding of the current situation regarding international cooperation and technical assistance; only the proper usage and analysis of such information will enable fruit-bearing research. In this regard, research activities and information analysis should be based on a thorough grounding in the realms of production, management and study. How this is being done is the theme of today's symposium, and the topics presented here should be of much significance to those involved in international cooperation. Fisheries encompasses many areas; however, propagation and aquaculture taken together are considered most necessary to target in subsequent cooperative research and will be the focus of today's program.