APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
Propagation programs 
Japan has a long history of propagation efforts (hat- 
chery and stocking activities) to maintain and increase 
fishery resources. In recent years these efforts have been 
intensified. Government-supported salmon hatcheries spawn 
and release over 700 million salmon fries annually. Japan 
also artificially hatches large numbers of sea bream fries, 
trout, french oysters and abalone for release in coastal and 
inland waters. 
Sanitation regulations 
The Japanese Government is substantially involved in 
fish inspection programs to insure that fish products are 
safe and of high quality. The Japanese Food Sanitation Law 
governs food in general and there are other national laws 
applying to shellfish sanitation. Laws are enforced through 
stringent government inspection programs. 
Japan is a member nation of the National Shellfish Sani- 
tation Program--a voluntary sanitation program concerned with 
clams, oysters, and mussels and administered by the United 
States Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, 
Education, and Welfare. The Ministry of Health and Welfare 
carries out the program in Japan. In 1974 Food and Drug 
Administration officials reviewed and evaluated Japan's 
Sanitary controls over its oyster fishery and found the con- 
trols to be very stringent. According to Agency officials, 
the fishing industry is, in large part, self-regulating. 
There is a strong incentive for the industry to maintain a 
high quality breed of fish. At market, the fish are individ- 
ually auctioned, price being determined by quality because 
Japanese consumers are discriminating in their selection of 
fish since they eat much of it raw. 
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