The management of small-scale fishing in Hime-shima in Oita Prefecture in western Japan shows how collaboration on traditional knowledge and practices can help overcome external threats. Japan’s traditional ways for fishery resource management were developed more than 200 years ago. A document written in 1816, called the ‘Edo-Bay Protocol’ (Edo is the ancient name for Tokyo), indicates that 44 coastal communities in the Tokyo Bay agreed that (i) conferences of the fishers shall be held annually, with a host community being assigned on a yearly rotation; (ii) no new fishing method or equipment shall be permitted other than the existing 38 methods in the area; and (iii) all parties shall abide by this agreement.