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Troubles have arisen in two different areas—the open waters near 
the Japanese coastline and the disputed ‘“‘northern territorial’? waters, 
traditional Japanese fishing grounds. In both cases, the Soviet Union 
seems to have the upper hand at the expense of the Japanese fisher- 
men. Incidents in the first area involve damage to Japanese fishing 
equipment by the larger Soviet operation. Soviet actions in the second 
area stem from political considerations—the constant manifestation 
of sovereignty over the disputed islands. 
In another attempt toward the improvement of bilateral fishing rela- 
tions, the most recent agreement of June 1975 provides for the 
establishment of permanent claims settkement commissions in both 
Moscow and Tokyo. Exchange of information in this area could also 
help reduce incidents in the open waters near the Japanese coastline 
and thereby promote safe fishing operations. 
In general, the fisheries issue has become more timely in view 
of the current Law of the Sea Conference sponsored by the United 
Nations and the prospect of an international treaty. Having long 
claimed a 12-mile territorial sea, the Soviet Union also supports the 
concept of the 200-mile economic zone. In contrast, Japan claims 
only a 3-mile territorial sea. In the course of their discussions, the 
Soviets have pressed the Japanese for their cooperation at the Con- 
ference in view of their ‘‘common interests”’. 
In addition, the depletion of maritime resources necessitates 
cooperation in an area of vital importance to these two major fishing 
powers. The Soviet Union has expressed growing concern over the 
depletion of stock in the Northwest Pacific and consequently has 
sought a substantial reduction in the annual quotas of salmon, herring, 
and crab, much to the dissatisfaction of the Japanese. The Soviets 
contend that Japan should be more concerned with conserving 
resources, rather than with increasing its catch. Thus, although 
economics dictates an expansion of operations to satisfy both domestic 
comsumption and export demands, the supply of fish resources is 
not infinite. 
’ THE NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN FISHERIES 
Fishing activities in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean reflect the in- 
teraction of political, economic, and conservation pressures. Fishing 
for salmon, herring, crab, and other marine resources in this area 
is regulated on an annual basis by the Soviet-Japanese Fisheries Com- 
mission for the Northwest Pacific created in 1956. While pleading 
the need for conservation, the Soviets took unilateral action in Februa- 
ry, 1956 to restrict salmon fishing in the Northwest Pacific (west 
of long 170° E—the ‘“‘Bulganin Line’’), thus contributing to the conclu- 
sion of a fishery treaty and the restoration of normal diplomatic rela- 
tions. The fisheries agreement preceded the formal establishment of 
relations, but would not become effective until the latter was achieved. 
The Soviet unilateral declaration on restricted fishing strongly in- 
fluenced the Japanese to enter into bilateral negotiations and to accept 
the concept of joint regulation over the area, thus resulting in a 
form of partnership. 
Although negotiations on the peace treaty began in June 1955, 
the territorial dispute, which grew out of the continuing postwar Soviet 
