322
net(s), unloading fi shes from the net(s), sorting
the fi shes, and storing the sorted fi shes in the
fi shhold(s). Fish sorting and storing are usually
performed during net towing. The portion of the
whole navigation time required for each representative task (Fig. 1 , circle graphs in the third
row) varied in each case; however, fi sh sorting
was the most time-consuming task on all of the
boats studied. The AC (the index indicating the
degree of need for improvement in the OWAS
method) for the fi sh-sorting task in each boat
(Fig. 1 , circle graphs in the fourth row) could be
classifi ed as either the type of work where the
crew sorts fi shes on the deck fl oor in a squatting
posture (Aichi and Hiroshima prefectures) or the
type where the crew sorts fi shes on a table while
seated (Chiba and Osaka prefectures). The latter
posture appeared to represent the ergonomically
better work posture, and the results demonstrated
this quantitatively.
Summarizing these results, the fi sh-sorting
task was the most time consuming in all four
cases studied, and the physical burden was
undesirable when the fi shermen sorted fi shes on
the deck. Thus, the fi sh-sorting task should be
improved preferentially. According to the comparison among four small trawl fi shing boats
from across Japan, the use of a table during fi sh
sorting appears to be a simple solution to improve
the fi shermen’s physical burden.
4
Discussion
The results of this study identifi ed the most signifi cant task in the small trawl fi shery in Japan
through the quantitative comparison of several
case studies and proposed a simple solution to
improve the task. If the fi sh-sorting task remains
unchanged, the fi shermen will have an increased
risk of developing serious low back symptoms.
However, no table for fi sh sorting has been introduced in many small trawl fi shing boats even
though many fi shermen seem to readily recognize its value. It is likely that not only the idea of
the table but also many other ideas for improvement will not be accepted easily. The author
considers that there are two main reasons why
fi shermen do not readily implement the suggestions
for improvement.
The fi rst factor is the limited capacity of the
fi shing boat. The volume of Japanese fi shing
boats is regulated by gross tonnage as a means of
controlling their catch, and fi shermen typically
aim to achieve the full permissible volume to
maximize their fi shing capacity. Consequently, no
space is set aside for safe and comfortable work,
and the fi shermen are forced to work in uneasy
postures and sometimes in an unsafe manner.
The second factor involves fi shermen’s way of
thinking and knowledge. Many fi shermen are
proud that they work in the environment, namely,
the sea, where death is so near. Such prides often
bring about the wrong way of thinking in that they
take it for granted that they work in a dangerous
environment. Moreover, veteran fi shermen are
hesitant to modify a way of working that has been
established over a long time. Therefore, it is not
easy for them to implement a new method, even
if it is clearly reasonable.
Given this situation, it is diffi cult to improve the
fi shery work environment dramatically in the short
term. However, in the long term, it will be effective to promote reform in the fi shermen’s way of
thinking through awareness and suggestions for
effective improvements. In Japan, a seminar for
fi shermen concerning safe work environments
began last year as a public undertaking. The
accumulation of knowledge through investigations
of fi shery work will also provide useful information for fi shermen through such seminars.
KAIZEN solutions are occasionally obtained
through comparative studies of many case studies.
Expanding the range of case studies to foreign
countries will be benefi cial to the fi sheries of
other regions. It is crucial to understand the
common terms, to recognize differences based
on culture for each country, and to disseminate
knowledge to each country.
Acknowledgments I am grateful for all the fi shermen
who kindly cooperated with my researches and for the
people who helped the implementations of the investigations. I am also thankful with my colleagues who carried
out some of the investigations with me. I am greatly
indebted to Professor Hubert-Jean Ceccaldi for his kind
advice and encouragement.
H. Takahashi
net(s), unloading fi shes from the net(s), sorting
the fi shes, and storing the sorted fi shes in the
fi shhold(s). Fish sorting and storing are usually
performed during net towing. The portion of the
whole navigation time required for each representative task (Fig. 1 , circle graphs in the third
row) varied in each case; however, fi sh sorting
was the most time-consuming task on all of the
boats studied. The AC (the index indicating the
degree of need for improvement in the OWAS
method) for the fi sh-sorting task in each boat
(Fig. 1 , circle graphs in the fourth row) could be
classifi ed as either the type of work where the
crew sorts fi shes on the deck fl oor in a squatting
posture (Aichi and Hiroshima prefectures) or the
type where the crew sorts fi shes on a table while
seated (Chiba and Osaka prefectures). The latter
posture appeared to represent the ergonomically
better work posture, and the results demonstrated
this quantitatively.
Summarizing these results, the fi sh-sorting
task was the most time consuming in all four
cases studied, and the physical burden was
undesirable when the fi shermen sorted fi shes on
the deck. Thus, the fi sh-sorting task should be
improved preferentially. According to the comparison among four small trawl fi shing boats
from across Japan, the use of a table during fi sh
sorting appears to be a simple solution to improve
the fi shermen’s physical burden.
4
Discussion
The results of this study identifi ed the most signifi cant task in the small trawl fi shery in Japan
through the quantitative comparison of several
case studies and proposed a simple solution to
improve the task. If the fi sh-sorting task remains
unchanged, the fi shermen will have an increased
risk of developing serious low back symptoms.
However, no table for fi sh sorting has been introduced in many small trawl fi shing boats even
though many fi shermen seem to readily recognize its value. It is likely that not only the idea of
the table but also many other ideas for improvement will not be accepted easily. The author
considers that there are two main reasons why
fi shermen do not readily implement the suggestions
for improvement.
The fi rst factor is the limited capacity of the
fi shing boat. The volume of Japanese fi shing
boats is regulated by gross tonnage as a means of
controlling their catch, and fi shermen typically
aim to achieve the full permissible volume to
maximize their fi shing capacity. Consequently, no
space is set aside for safe and comfortable work,
and the fi shermen are forced to work in uneasy
postures and sometimes in an unsafe manner.
The second factor involves fi shermen’s way of
thinking and knowledge. Many fi shermen are
proud that they work in the environment, namely,
the sea, where death is so near. Such prides often
bring about the wrong way of thinking in that they
take it for granted that they work in a dangerous
environment. Moreover, veteran fi shermen are
hesitant to modify a way of working that has been
established over a long time. Therefore, it is not
easy for them to implement a new method, even
if it is clearly reasonable.
Given this situation, it is diffi cult to improve the
fi shery work environment dramatically in the short
term. However, in the long term, it will be effective to promote reform in the fi shermen’s way of
thinking through awareness and suggestions for
effective improvements. In Japan, a seminar for
fi shermen concerning safe work environments
began last year as a public undertaking. The
accumulation of knowledge through investigations
of fi shery work will also provide useful information for fi shermen through such seminars.
KAIZEN solutions are occasionally obtained
through comparative studies of many case studies.
Expanding the range of case studies to foreign
countries will be benefi cial to the fi sheries of
other regions. It is crucial to understand the
common terms, to recognize differences based
on culture for each country, and to disseminate
knowledge to each country.
Acknowledgments I am grateful for all the fi shermen
who kindly cooperated with my researches and for the
people who helped the implementations of the investigations. I am also thankful with my colleagues who carried
out some of the investigations with me. I am greatly
indebted to Professor Hubert-Jean Ceccaldi for his kind
advice and encouragement.
H. Takahashi