Currently, the Japanese fishery is in a declining state. However, the number of fishery establishments among coastal fisheries is decreasing more slowly than any other fisheries. Therefore it is expected that it will play an important role in coastal fisheries in Japan fisheries in the future.In this paper, a small trawl fishery which is one of the most important coastal fisheries is examined. Aspects of a sustainable small trawl fishery, resource management, transactions, and the present state of the operating licenses are investigated, and the prospects are clarified.The role of fishermen’s cooperatives has become more important than ever in order to lead fisheries into sustainable production. It is important to determine whether the fishermen’s cooperatives can function positively through administrating license operations and other matters.