Sea and Japan Project Public Relations Office
We held the Ehime Blue Carbon School 2024, a marine experiential learning event that unravels the connection between seaweed beds and us – a major survey of the “sea forests” of the Seto Inland Sea and the Uwa Sea!
July 26th (Friday) to 28th (Sunday), 2024
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The Sea and Japan Project in Ehime will be held for three days from July 26th (Friday) to July 28th (Sunday), 2024, to explore the Seto Inland Sea and Uwa Sea, which are familiar seas for elementary school students in Ehime Prefecture. “Ehime Blue Carbon School 2024 ~ Seto Inland Sea/Uwa Sea Sea Forest” is a marine experience learning event where we investigate seaweeds such as sargassum and eelgrass in the field and learn about the role of seaweed beds and their connection to us. We held a survey.
This event is part of the Nippon Foundation’s “Ocean and Japan Project,” which connects people through the ocean in order to pass on the rich and beautiful ocean to the next generation.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-a71190f86aa5ab8a2ca4-0.jpg&s3=77920-2789-0c2b14b1dec5694017238266fb6771f6-1200×900.jpg] Event overview
・Event overview: Focusing on seaweed and seaweed that grow in the Seto Inland Sea and Uwa Sea, which are the seas that are familiar to us, there will be multiple experience programs such as a snorkeling experience in the Uwa Sea and a survey of Satoumi creatures in the Seto Inland Sea. Through these activities, you will learn about the role of seaweed beds and their connection to our daily lives. ・Date: July 26th (Friday), 27th (Saturday), 28th (Sunday), 2024 ·Venue:
26th Ainan Town, Minamiuwa District, Ehime Prefecture
27th Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
28th Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
・Number of participants: 19 5th and 6th grade elementary school students ・Sponsored by: Ehime Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture Board of Education, Ainan Town, Ainan Town Board of Education, Imabari City
・Cooperation: Ehime University Nanyo Fisheries Research Center, Ainan Town Fisheries Division Marine Industry Promotion Office, Nagisa Police Box Hinase Umi Lab, NPO Imabari Civic Pride Center, Sea Vegetable LLC
[Day 1] First, feel the Uwa Sea with your whole body in Ainan Town, the southernmost town in the prefecture!
On the first day of the event, the first bus carrying participants headed to Ainan Town, the southernmost town in Ehime Prefecture. From Ehime University Nanyo Fisheries Research Center Funakoshi Station, which will be our learning base for this day, we can see the Uwa Sea spreading out in front of us. Before starting the 3-day learning program, students will work on creating a “mind map” by connecting the keywords they can think of, centering on “weed beds.” I was surprised to see some participants writing keywords such as “reducing carbon dioxide” and “raising fish” even though the program had not yet begun, but I was surprised to see how each participant’s thinking changed through the three days of learning. The staff will be excited to see what happens next. The first thing you will learn about is the diversity of the ocean within Ehime Prefecture. The lecturer will be Motohiro Takagi, deputy director of the Ehime University Nanyo Fisheries Research Center. The sea in Ehime Prefecture has a long coastline and diverse coastal environment due to its islands and ria coastline, and the characteristics of the Seto Inland Sea and Uwa Sea (formation, topography, water temperature, influence of ocean currents, biodiversity, etc.) I learned. In addition, Professor Takagi, who regularly monitors the distribution of seaweed, observed the sargassum that had been cut down in advance, and found that the seaweed was home to small organisms such as grasshoppers, shrimp, and small fish, and served as a breeding ground for them. I learned that.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-908736a6134addfb1a0e-1.jpg&s3=77920-2789-da5a846acac3ad76f196ff3fefe72c60-3021×1125.jpg] Next, we will learn from Takahiro Hamabe and Yosuke Shimizu of the Marine Industry Promotion Office of the Fisheries Division of Ainan Town about the “marine industry” and “blue carbon” initiatives that Ainan Town is promoting as a community. One of the challenges in the Uwa Sea is that seaweed has become difficult to grow due to rising seawater temperatures and accompanying changes in the ecosystem, and through trial and error, as part of efforts to conserve the blue carbon ecosystem, for the first time in Shikoku, We introduced that we have been certified by J Blue Credit. I learned that it is important to become aware of changes in the local ocean as soon as possible, and to do so, it is important to maintain an interest in the local ocean and creatures.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-1dcf2be527c2f1f4d532-2.jpg&s3=77920-2789-ad98abf8c1e4f8b77cad2a5274162562-3022×1125.jpg] In the afternoon, we had planned to welcome Mr. Sho Takahashi, a diving instructor from the Saikai Sightseeing Boat (Sea West LLC), as a lecturer, and have a program to investigate the ecosystem of the Uwa Sea through snorkeling, but due to the effects of Typhoon No. 3, the swells were a bit rough. Yes, we suddenly changed to an alternative program. The participants gathered on the pier are holding fishing rods! If you can’t go into the sea, fish it out and investigate! So we started a one-hour fishing survey. Some of the participants were fishing for the first time, but students from Ehime University’s Nanyo Fisheries Research Center, who were scheduled to help with the afternoon snorkeling, joined in as support, skillfully handling fishing rods and catching a wide variety of fish species. I’m going to catch it. When the participants returned to the facility, they performed a task called “identification” to determine the type of fish they had caught. We carefully observe the characteristics of the fish and identify the type of each fish by comparing them with the characteristics listed in the illustrated book. The fishing survey lasted only one hour, but we caught 10 different types of fish! In addition to fish species that prefer a warm environment, such as red-tailed wrasse and otome wrasse, we also saw fish species that can be found in the Seto Inland Sea, such as filefish, horse mackerel, and red sea bream. According to Professor Takagi, the area around the pier where the fishing survey was conducted is a mixture of three environments: seaweed beds, rocky reefs, and sandy beaches. I once again realized that the diversity of coastal waters affects the composition of fish species.
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-8395756c5367895ab123-3.jpg&s3=77920-2789-a742059d65720d261a96deb80e984639-3024×1125.jpg ]
[Day 2] The next day we moved all the way to the Seto Inland Sea! Learn about conservation activities in Nisse, the “sacred place for eelgrass”!
The participants who studied in the Uwa Sea the previous day will head to the Seto Inland Sea on this day. After taking a bus from Matsuyama City and traveling for more than three hours, we arrived at
Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, the “sacred place for eelgrass.” In Hinase Town, local fishing cooperatives and
environmental conservation organizations have been working together to carry out eelgrass conservation activities for about 40 years. Arriving at Hinase Umi Lab, a police box on the beach, which is the learning base for the day, the group immediately sets out to investigate the eelgrass field, which is the first learning program of the day. Boarding a boat operated by a member of the Hinase Fisheries Cooperative, participants headed to the eelgrass beds that grow on the coast of Otafu Island, located offshore. Due to the high water temperature in summer, there are apparently few remaining eelgrass beds at this time of year, but we found some eelgrass growing on the boat and observed its length, thickness, and the organisms attached to it. Along the way, they stopped by an oyster farming raft operated by the Hinase Fisheries Cooperative, and learned that eelgrass beds support oyster farming by providing stable water quality.
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-bac7e978a71e7c85e909-4.jpg&s3=77920-2789-393ecc1507e194a41206e1b8c9670aa6-3018×1125.jpg ]
When participants return to the facility, they learn about the characteristics of eelgrass, a seaweed, and the conservation efforts that have been going on in Hinase Town for about 40 years, while looking back at the eelgrass beds they had actually seen. The lecturer will be Takehiro Tanaka, director and executive director of the NPO Satoumi Development Research Council. Mr. Tanaka first explained the differences between seaweeds such as sargassum, which we learned about on the first day, and seaweeds such as eelgrass, and then learned about the diverse benefits that eelgrass brings. In addition to their roles as “cradles of the ocean” and “blue carbon ecosystems,” which we learned about in Ainan Town, eelgrass beds also serve as natural wave-dissipating banks, and they also create shadows in the sea, causing water temperatures to rise. I learned that eelgrass has the ability to control nutrients in the sea by absorbing nutrients through its roots.
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-d631ed5e2c75e59b1c18-5.jpg&s3=77920-2789-923259ae01c47304abc24b990ab8ad26-3020×1125.jpg] In the afternoon, we will pull up the baskets containing oyster shells that were previously submerged in the sea and investigate the Satoumi creatures that are attached to the oyster shells or live in the gaps between the shells. The participants looked very serious as they searched for living things with disposable chopsticks. Observing a wide variety of organisms that form the basis of the food chain in satoumi, such as shrimp, crabs, lugworms, spider stars, scorpionfish, rockfish, and rockfish, we will once again be reminded of the importance of preserving the satoumi ecosystem. I learned. After completing their studies at Nissay, the participants boarded the bus again and headed to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, where they would be staying today. Before going to bed, the students reflected on the two days and presented what they could do to preserve seaweed beds. Participants said, “First of all, learn about seaweed and eelgrass with interest,” and “It’s important to spread the feeling of caring for the local ocean to those around you by participating in
restoration activities.” Opinions such as, “Now that we know that seaweed is sensitive to high water temperatures, we should think about living in a way that minimizes global warming.”
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-12da06b70893bcb86961-6.jpg&s3=77920-2789-a6636fb389327466c6d788a05f4a26e0-3032×1125.jp g ]
[Day 3] It’s finally the last day! Experience seaweed cultivation on land and harvesting seeds from eelgrass!
The third and final day of learning began with a tour of the land-based cultivation of the seaweed lily. The lecturer will be Yomitsu Morita, manager of Sea Vegetable Imabari LLC. Sea Vegetable is working on advanced initiatives while continuing the tradition of seaweed eating and exploring new possibilities. Here at the Imabari base, they are working on land-based cultivation of Sujiaonori using seawater with low impurities pumped up from underground. After observing the green seaweed grown in an unfamiliar circular aquarium, participants sprinkled dried seaweed onto potato chips and sampled it, allowing them to experience the taste and aroma of seaweed, known as the king of green seaweed, with all five senses. Ta. The students learned that there are approximately 1,500 types of seaweed that can be found along the coasts of Japan, but less than 40 of these are eaten on a daily basis, which gave them an opportunity to think about new ways to use seaweed.
[Image 8: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-582f44440e0a36f25314-7.jpg&s3=77920-2789-d285e363f333df0ce11b6290f2852b72-3019×1127.jp g ]
Next, we invited Mr. Hideki Mitani, executive director of the Imabari Civic Pride Center, a NPO that launched the “Imabari Eelgrass Project” in 2022 and is working on eelgrass conservation activities around Imabari City, as a lecturer, and we harvested seeds from eelgrass. . About two months ago, eelgrass flower branches collected in Imabari City in late May were placed in a net and stored underwater in Imabari Port. Participants will use tweezers to sort out rotten eelgrass leaves and seeds. Each participant took home their own eelgrass seeds and stored them in the refrigerator until winter, when they are suitable for germination. Additionally, those who wish to participate in this event will be able to participate in future Imabari Eelgrass Project activities, and it is hoped that they will be able to put into practice what they learned during the three-day activities.
[Image 9: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-573b5b1d4c40210db78d-8.jpg&s3=77920-2789-13c2fda1c903b339e1ee35efa3ea2202-3023×1125.jpg] [Summary learning] What did we learn over the three days about the role of seaweed beds and their connection to us?
The final learning program was a three-day summary study. The goal of this event is to clarify the role of seaweed beds and their connection to us. First of all, each participant re-created the “mind map” they had done at the beginning of the first day, focusing on the seaweed beds. Compared to before the event started, the number of lines showing keywords and connections had increased significantly, giving a glimpse of the learning outcomes of each participant.
[Image 10: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-988d0f138c0eff8003cb-9.jpg &s3=77920-27899999BD89BD89BD89bd89BD89 03c5fdf-3021X1125.jpg] From here, we will move on to group work for the general presentation. With the support of the group leaders of each group, we organized what we had learned over the three days about the role of seaweed beds and their connection to us, and expressed them on a piece of paper. Participants said, “Promote the seaweed beds where fish gather as a highlight of diving in Ainan Town, conserve them, and utilize them for sustainable tourism,” and “Sell seaweed-flavored potato chips made with 100% seaweed seaweed.” There were wonderful presentations that made full use of what they had learned over the three days, such as, “I will use the profits to protect seaweed beds again,” and “For me, seaweed beds are important places where living things can grow, so I want to give back to them by increasing their number.” In the future, we will collaborate with cafeterias and restaurants in Ehime Prefecture to provide seaweed menus and compile leaflets about the role of seaweed beds and their connection to us, which the
participants learned. We will disseminate widely.
[Image 11: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-44552d92c8e02e64fde1-10.jpg&s3=77920-2789-f942f5ac9ab589652b81a6755e21859d-3022×1125.jp g ]
Feedback from participating children and parents
[Participants’ impressions]
・Learned about the role of eelgrass and learned that it is important for ocean conservation. There are people who are working hard to protect their local oceans, even if they are in different places or in different ways. This is not just a person, but something we who live in the future must inherit. I would like to think about ways to continue protecting seaweed.
・For me, seaweed beds are important because they grow food for humans, and they are like heroes who help stop global warming.
・Because there are seaweed beds in the local sea, small creatures can thrive and we can eat delicious, fresh fish.
・Eelgrass supports our lives. Although eelgrass is rapidly decreasing, depending on our actions we can increase it. I wanted everyone to know about eelgrass.
[Parents’ impressions]
・I heard from the children that the lessons were easy to understand, even in the upper grades of elementary school. With sparkling eyes, he told us about his three days at the sea, saying that it was a lot of fun being able to see, touch, and do all kinds of things.
・Photos were posted on Instagram from time to time, and I was able to see how the children were doing in real time, which made me feel very relieved. Above all, I think my daughter’s words, “I want to participate again!!” are everything.
・There was a mix of classroom lectures and experiential learning, so I was able to see, touch and feel what I had learned, and I felt like I was able to acquire solid knowledge while having fun. The staff were kind and enjoyed working with me, and even though I was surrounded by people I didn’t know, I felt at ease working on it. I felt that they were very considerate in taking precautions against heat stroke and taking precautions against car sickness.
-Organization Overview-
Organization name: (one company) Sea and Japan Project in Ehime URL: https://ehime.uminohi.jp/
Activities: Gathering information and publicizing event activities to create a movement for food, culture, sports, festivals, etc. centered around the sea in Ehime Prefecture
[Image 12: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2789/resize/d77920-2789-87ab0cf532dcc658e9f7-11.png&s3=77920-2789-2cd99009992a746b94f62800b6446f0b-1868×535.png ]
Nippon Foundation “Ocean and Japan Project”
The sea supports Japanese people’s lives in various ways, sometimes giving them peace of mind, excitement, and inspiration. This is an all-Japan project that aims to encourage people across the country, including children, to view the ongoing environmental deterioration of the oceans as their own, and to expand the circle of action to preserve the oceans for future generations. is.
https://uminohi.jp/
This article has been partially generated with the assistance of AI.