TED×Himiのテーマ「Passively Active」と氷見の寒ぶりを支える定置網漁

[English follows Japanese]

北陸初開催となるTED×。そして今回のTED×Himiのテーマは「Passively Active」です。一見すると相反するようなこの２つの単語。どんな意味なんだろう？と不思議に思いますよね。今回はこのテーマについて詳しくご紹介したいと思います。

実は今回のテーマの根底に流れているものは、氷見が誇る冬の風物詩とも言える「寒ぶり」を支える漁法である「定置網漁」と密接な関係があるのです。

まず、そもそも定置網漁というのは一体どんな漁法なのかを説明しますと、簡単に言えば魚の通り道に網を仕掛けて捕る漁法です。ポイントは、この定置網に入った７割〜８割の魚は逃げてしまうということ。全ての魚を捕り尽くすのではなく、逃すことで資源の枯渇を防ぎ未来を紡いでいく持続可能な漁法なのです。この越中式定置網漁こそが、魚を捕りすぎず、無駄なエネルギーを使わず、旬の新鮮な魚を少しずつ、天の恵みのおこぼれを頂くための知恵であり、それによって氷見の魚は確固たる地位を築くようになったのです。

日本人が古来から受け継ぎ、周辺の環境と繋がり、呼応しながら育んでいる持続可能なシステム。そこには、一見受け身なようでいて、周りとの調和を積極的にデザインした文化があります。TED×Himiは、これを「Passively Active」と表現し、今回のテーマとして据えています。全ての登壇者のメッセージにも、一見受け身なようでいて、きちんと行動をしている姿を感じて頂けると思います。

今世界が直面する様々な危機を解決するヒントを、氷見が誇る寒ぶりとその恵みを生み出す定置網漁、そして大自然と共に是非一緒に考えてみませんか。

‘Passively Active,’ the theme of TEDxHimi, and Himi’s ‘Teichiami’

As the first TEDx to be held in the Hokuriku region, the theme of TEDxHimi is ‘Passively Active.’ It might make you wonder, “What does that mean?” The two words seem to contradict each other. Today we will like to explain this.

What underlies the theme is ‘Teichiami.’ ‘Teichiami,’ or Set Net fishing in English, is an environment-friendly, sustainable fishing method used to catch fish such as ‘Kan-buri’ (yellowtail caught during winter) which is one of the best known fish in Japan that Himi proudly provides.

What is this ‘Teichiami’ in the first place? To put it in simple terms, it is a fishing method by which you catch fish by setting nets in their path. An important point to consider is that 70-80% of the fish escape the nets. By letting most of the fish go, it prevents depletion of resources and helps sustain the environment for future generations. Preventing people from catching too many fish and preserving energy, this ‘Etchu style Teichiami’ is the crystallization of the wisdom which lets people have what nature has to offer and enjoy seasonal fish in bits, and it is what enabled the fish of Himi to firmly establish its position.

This is a sustainable system which has been passed down in Japan from generation to generation, connecting and working in unison with the surrounding environment. It looks as though it’s something passive, but if you take a closer look you can notice that there is a tradition which actively designed it to make it harmonize with its surroundings. TEDxHimi has called this ‘Passively Active’ and has set this as its theme. We believe that you will find in every speaker’s message that though they may look passive at first glance, they are actually actively taking action.

Please join us and think about clues on how we can solve the problems in the world today alongside ‘Kan-buri,’ ‘Teichiami,’ and Mother Nature.