Japan said Friday it is convinced the Russian president's recommendation to stop issuing fishing quotas to foreign companies will not affect Russian-Japanese agreements on commercial fishing in 200-mile economic zones, RIA Novosti reports.
"[Russia and Japan] understand that the bilateral fishing agreement is of benefit to both sides. Both countries have obligations under this agreement," said Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka.
In his state of the nation address to the Russian parliament Thursday, Vladimir Putin said the fishing industry is plagued by problems and there have been no shifts for the better.
"In the majority of countries, the fishing industry is off limits to foreigners. It is necessary to stop issuing [fishing] quotas to foreign companies, giving preference to domestic enterprises, especially those developing processing operations," he said.
He directed the government to take measures to ensure effective customs control and stop poaching.
The scrapping of fishing licenses to foreign companies will facilitate the development of Russia's fish processing industry, said Georgy Martynov, chairman of the Association of Fishing and Fish Processing Enterprises in the Primorye Territory.