Effects of the Fishery Industry's Use of Oceanic Condition Information on the Regional Economy: Medium-Scale Purse-Seine Fishery in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture

Abstract

Using input-output analysis, this article focuses on the medium-scale purse-seine fishery in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture to examine the effects that the use of ＂Suishinippou＂, an oceanic condition information service operated by the Miyazaki Prefectural Fisheries Research Institute, may have on the regional economy by way of increased catch. The use of oceanic condition information not only leads to an increase in catch but also induces production in related industries, raises people's income, and thereby affects the entire regional economy. As a result of this analysis, it has been estimated that the use of oceanic condition information may raise catch by 180.95 million yen (the direct effect), and that its impact on the economy of Miyazaki Prefecture (the overall effect) may total 266.96 million yen. That is, the overall effect is 1.48 times as large as the direct effect. Among the various fisheries in Miyazaki Prefecture, the medium-scale purse-seine fishery has a sizable impact on the reginal economy. Thus, it is considered that a certain evaluation was obtained from the economic aspect regarding the appropriateness of ＂Suishinippou＂.