Disaster Response Japan Project #7972

Revitalize the Fishing Industry in Northeast Japan

by Peace Winds America

Project Report | May 30, 2014
Campaign Ending - PWA Launches New Recovery Page

By Jon Ehrenfeld | Project Officer

This Year's Oyster Harvest Was a Bumper Crop

Dear Friend of Tohoku,

Thank you for your past donations to help this campaign, “Revitalize the Fishing Industry in Northeast Japan.” With your generous support, since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami hit in March 2011 we have helped many fishing families in more than twenty coastal districts return to their way of life, boosting the economy and sense of stability among these communities. We have built a windbreak for oyster workers, provided small business grants for marine repairmen, bought abalone equipment for 571 fishermen and sea urchin supplies for 118 more, purchased supplies for fishing cooperatives, supported wakame harvesters and Kesennuma maritime high schoolers, and much more. We are so grateful for your help, without which we could not have turned these projects into a reality.

To consolidate our various Tohoku recovery projects, we have decided to close this project campaign and combine it with our related efforts in a new campaign: “Rebuilding Communities and Livelihoods in Japan.” In addition to providing fishing equipment, this campaign will focus on all aspects of fishing community needs: building fishing sheds, providing temporary housing support, and working with the fishing cooperatives to ensure fisher folk have the resources they need to reopen their businesses and resume their way of life.

Our commitment to Tohoku families and livelihoods is ongoing, but new projects require additional funding. We hope you will continue to support our efforts by giving to this new campaign. You can donate and view project updates at http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/rebuilding-communities-and-livelihoods-in-japan/updates/. You can use the “Get Updates via Email” field on the bottom right to subscribe.

Thank you again for your support of this vital project.

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Mar 13, 2014
On Tohoku Match Day, Opportunities for Recovery

By Jon Ehrenfeld | Project Officer

In Minamisanriku, Signs of Progress and Issues for the Future

It is still winter in Tohoku, but spring is fast approaching! On the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami there is still much work to be done. According to the Government of Japan there are still 267,000 displaced residents living in temporary housing. These residents will continue to need much support - community programs, livelihood assistance, and assistance transitioning to permanent housing. Peace Winds America has committed to undertaking programs that focus on these vulnerable residents still living in temporary houses. Because so many of these residents were in the fishing industry, support for this program will have a significant impact on this community.

Program Past and Future

With your support we have partnered with critical fishing cooperatives to provide equipment for members (rods, nets, hooks, paddles, and other specialized equipment). We have supported the cooperatives themselves, ensuring they remain vital to help their members. Together we have provided work and storage space for displaced fishing families in the form of sheds. Last update we touched on the completed oyster shield, which remains critical, and a projected LED lighting project which continues to move forward. We will continue to work with the fishing cooperatives and fishing families in the future, with an emphasis on helping Tohoku residents in temporary housing. We will complete the lighting program, making the port that much effective. And we will remain in contact with you, our donors.

Your Match Makes a Difference!

In honor of the 3rd anniversary of East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, GlobalGiving is hosting a matching campaign for projects that work for recovery in Tohoku area. Today, your donations will be matched 100% by GlobalGiving until matchign funds last. To donate, click on "give now" button below.

GlobalGiving's 100% match is an exciting opportunity to renew our commitment to Tohoku. Together we can ensure that our long-term recovery programs remain in operation, helping the neediest. As always, thank you for your support and your generosity.

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Dec 11, 2013
Winter Update - Oysters and Port Lighting

By Jon Ehrenfeld | Project Officer

Oyster Fishermen Behind the New Fence (Photo: PWJ)

Update from Minamisanriku

From our partners in Peace Winds Japan comes the heartening news that the wind-break fence Peace Winds America helped construct is built and doing its job admirably. Earlier this year we heard from our partners that workers processing oysters – a job done in the cold Tohoku winter – required a fence to stay warm while they worked. The oyster fishermen and processers alike requested this facility be built to aid them as they continued on the path to economic recovery.

We are happy to report that the 45-meter fence is working as advertised and earning high marks from the fishing families in Minamisanriku. One worker told us, “Thanks to the fence, when there is a strong windy day like today, we can work without any big obstacles! Thank you very much for your support!” We’d like to pass that message of thanks on to our donors and supporters, without whom none of this would be possible.

Next Steps and Future Projects

Peace Winds America remains committed to ongoing economic recovery for the fishing industry in Tohoku. PWA is presently exploring a proposal to provide LED lighting for fishermen of the Utatsu fishing cooperative of Minamisanriku. Many of the ports have been rebuilt since the tsunami, but they are dark and unlit at night. This presents difficulties for the fishermen, who worry about security and about having to work in the dark. Working with Peace Winds Japan, PWA will help fund solar LEDs at several ports. The solar panels on the lights will collect power during the day and keep the ports safe and brightly lit at night.

With the third anniversary of the tsunami in sight, PWA thanks our supporters again and reaffirms our commitment to the people of Tohoku.

At Work Processing the Oyster Catch

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