Sea and Japan Project Public Relations Office Scallops won’t grow! ? Elementary school students investigate the sea in Iwate! Iwate Marine Kids Project in Yamada ~Scallop Investigation Team~ was held!

Sea and Japan Project Public Relations Office
Scallops won’t grow! ? Elementary school students investigate the sea in Iwate! [Iwate Marine Kids Project in Yamada ~Scallop Investigation Team~] was held!
August 6th (Tuesday) and 7th (Wednesday), 2024, 1 night and 2 days [in Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture]
……
The Sea and Japan Project in Iwate, a general incorporated
association, is holding an experiential learning event for elementary school students called “Iwate Marine Kids Project in Yamada” in order to deepen their understanding of Iwate’s scallops, which boast one of the largest catches in Japan, and the Iwate sea. ～Scallop Survey Team～” was held in Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture for two days, August 6th (Tuesday) and August 7th (Wednesday), 2024.
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/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-71c7ed2a05de2a9a43c9-0.jpg&s3=77920-2810-f646d014a9e3e067f02ecda1257012f8-1448×814.jpg] Event overview
・Event Overview: The coast of Iwate Prefecture is a rich fishing ground where the Kuroshio Current and Oyashio Current meet, and boasts one of the largest catches of scallops in the country. However, currently, phenomena such as poor growth of scallops, death of scallops, and instability in natural seedling collection are occurring. There are various possible causes, but the rise in sea water temperature associated with global warming is said to have a major effect. These problems are serious problems that must be corrected in order to maintain Iwate’s marine environment and ecosystem.
At this event, with the theme of “Decrease in Scallops”, we will learn about the ecology of scallops, the causes of their decline, and on-site efforts, and encourage children to view the Iwate Sea and the problem of scallops as their own. The purpose of this event was to get people to share their ideas and connect them with future actions. ・Date: August 6th (Tuesday) and August 7th (Wednesday) 2024 1 night 2 days ・Venue: Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture
・Number of participants: 24 5th and 6th grade elementary school students ・Sponsor: Sea and Japan Project in Iwate
・Cooperation: Yamada Town, National University Corporation Iwate University, Kimura Shoten Co., Ltd., NPO Sanriku Volunteer Divers, Marine Tourism Yamada (Yamada Town Tourism Association), Yamada Town B&G Marine Center, etc.
Let’s learn about the problems happening to Iwate’s sea and scallops! First, in order to help people learn about the problems that are occurring in Iwate’s sea and scallops, we invited Professor Tamaki Shimose from the Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University to lecture on dissecting scallops, giving lectures, and observing plankton in Iwate’s sea. I did it.
During the scallop dissection, each student dissected a scallop and learned about the structure of the scallop’s body. Some of the children were touching scallops for the first time, and they seemed to become more interested in scallops through dissection.
In the lecture, we learned that the Rias coast has calm waves and is a suitable environment for aquaculture, and that scallops are sensitive to heat and that the recent rise in seawater temperatures has made it difficult to grow. We confirmed that we will investigate and learn at the event.
During the plankton observation, by observing plankton collected from the sea under a microscope, you can experience the richness of the Iwate sea, and also learn about the problems faced by scallops, such as the fact that scallops cannot be shipped even if they grow due to shellfish poison. It has expanded.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-57239cafe89a36890787-2.jpg&s3=77920-2810-3696a014a020dc309d0ad0c91f398dab-3027×1125.jpg] Let’s learn about the efforts to grow scallops!
After lunch, we boarded a boat and toured a scallop farm in Yamada Bay, learning about where and how scallops are grown. The participants seemed very interested in seeing a large fish farm for the first time. When they pulled up the rope hanging the scallops, they found that only a few were alive, and most had died from the heat. Seeing this situation with their own eyes, the children seemed shocked by the changes in Iwate’s sea. We also heard from fishermen about the precautions they take to raise scallops, and learned that raising scallops requires the efforts of many people.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-89d3ffa707f7c29100ac-3.jpg&s3=77920-2810-87fe037808895a18351cef8dc7f622c1-3020×1125.jpg] Let’s learn about scallop products and distribution!
After touring the farm, the participants visited Kimura Shoten Co., Ltd., where they toured a processed food factory and experienced product manufacturing.
First, we spoke with Toshi Kimura, CEO of Kimura Shoten Co., Ltd., and learned about how processed foods are made and how they are delivered to the table. I learned that many people are involved in the process of food reaching the table, including producers, processors, transporters, and distributors.
Afterwards, the participants were divided into two groups to tour a processed food factory and experience product manufacturing, and to come up with ideas for new products that would collaborate with this event. During the factory tour and product manufacturing experience, the children learned that there are many processes and innovations that go into maintaining quality, and they realized how difficult the work is and how grateful they are to be able to eat delicious food on a regular basis.
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-fbf368963ec7a49800cd-4.jpg&s3=77920-2810-b5c882751b32df1e001d066ebde791da-3023×1125.jpg] What can we do to protect the ocean?
At the beginning of the second day, Hiroshi Sato, representative of the NPO Sanriku Volunteer Divers, gave a lecture on “What we can do to protect the ocean.” “Isoyake” occurs when seaweed beds decrease due to factors such as rising water temperatures. He explained about the activities of the Sanriku Volunteer Divers, who protect seaweed beds that are in danger due to rocky shores. The children listened intently to stories about the current state of the ocean and efforts they were not aware of.
Afterwards, we moved to Uranohama Beach in Yamada Town, where we snorkeled and actually observed the ocean for ourselves. The children were able to find many living things, and not only realized the richness of Iwate’s sea, but also had a renewed sense of the joy of the sea.
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-bc0059bf77D3CDAC53F9-5.jpg &s3=77920-2810-4F97CE757B61FFF0D 88592D5-3093X1125.jpg]
Let’s share what we learned this time!
In the afternoon of the second day, we summarized what we had learned through this event and shared it with all participants.
The children thought about what they could do to protect Iwate’s sea and scallops, such as “I want to grow seaweed to protect seaweed beds” and “I want to send out information through SNS etc.” We all united in our desire to protect the beautiful Iwate sea.
Lastly, we came up with an illustration and catchphrase to be used on the packaging of Kimura Shoten’s new product, which collaborated with this event. When creating the book, I thought about what kind of illustration I could use to get people to pick it up, and what kind of catchphrase I could use to convey the importance of the ocean. This product is scheduled to go on sale in 2024, and a sales event will be held accordingly. At the sales event, the children who participated in this event will also stand at the sales floor and share what they have learned with purchasers themselves.
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-8bf0d49e7b82fed204f1-6.jpg&s3=77920-2810-7e70385b2782ca0d5738f0978da07ca8-3017×1125.jpg] Voices from participating children and parents
From participant survey
・Not only did I have fun going to the beach for the first time in a while, but I was also able to learn and think about scallops and the Iwate sea, increasing my knowledge.
・While snorkeling, I was able to observe eelgrass and the fish inside it.I had heard that “seaweed is a hiding place for fish,” but it was great to be able to actually see it.
・I learned that the effects of global warming are reaching Sanriku. From the parent questionnaire
・It was great that the children were able to learn about environmental issues and climate change that is occurring in the Sanriku area through various experiences, including the content of the event. I would like to participate as a parent and child as I am grateful to have been able to have a valuable experience that is difficult to learn at school.
・I was just eating scallops without knowing anything about the current situation with scallops or the problems that were causing them, so I think my mindset has changed since I actually started studying and gaining more knowledge. I want our parents and those around us to learn what not to do and the blessings of the ocean. Going into the ocean for the first time and getting on a boat, I think I learned first-hand what to be careful about and how to enjoy it.
-Organization overview-
Organization name: General Incorporated Association Sea and Japan Project in Iwate
URL: https://iwate.uminohi.jp/
Activities: In order to deepen the connection between prefectural residents and the ocean, we promote a movement that inspires curiosity about the ocean and takes action, mainly among children and young people who will lead the next generation.
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/77920/2810/resize/d77920-2810-46e7ff67ab5b030a4d48-7.png&s3=77920-2810-a53bbd7ee49daa1e7d605623699ee901-1868×535.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 ocean as their own, and to expand the circle of action to preserve the ocean for future generations. is.
https://uminohi.jp/