June 22, 2011

Acknowledgment of the generous support received in response to
the Great East Japan Earthquake


    The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science (JSFS) sincerely appreciates the generous support from both inside and outside of Japan in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. The total amount of contributions to the JSFS is \7,402,939 as of June 10. The executive board of our society has decided on the following uses for the donations.

    Half of the total amount will be used for supporting children affected by the disaster and the remaining half will be used for supporting the reconstruction of the fisheries industry and of fisheries research- and education-related institutions. Details are as follows:

1) For supporting children, donations were given to the Momo-Kaki Scholarship Association, which is organized by architect Mr. Tadao Ando, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Hideki Koshiba, and others (URL: http://www.tadao-ando.com/momokaki01.html).

2) For supporting the reconstruction of the fisheries industry and fisheries research- and education-related institutions, we have established the “Disaster Recovery Center” (Administrative Officer, Dr. Minoru Sato) at Tohoku University. The Disaster Recovery Center will establish the rules for distribution of the donations and manage its distribution.

    The JSFS especially appreciates donations from the American Fisheries Society and The Fisheries Society of the British Isles. We presented certificates of appreciation to both societies and we would like also to express our thanks during the General Assembly at the 2011 Autumn Meeting of JSFS.

    The Board of Directors of JSFS would deliberate further on the possibility of continued support for children affected by the disaster. We look forward for your continued support and cooperation.

Toshio Takeuchi
President
Japanese Society of Fisheries Science