3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
[MZZ43-P03] Coastal Cleanups residents take the lead - Examples in Shimokita Geopark
Keywords:Shimokita Geopark, Coastal Cleanup, Marine Debris
Shimokita Geopark, surrounded by the three seas of Tsugaru Strait, the Pacific Ocean, and Mutsu Bay, has nurtured the activities and culture who make use of the gifts of the sea.
In Shimokita region, where people live together with the sea, marine debris drifting ashore has become a problem that cannot be overlooked. Therefore, local communities and local businesses have been involved in cleanup activities in various locations to beautify the coast and preserve coastal vegetation. Participants are not only local residents, but also include the Self-Defense Forces and other groups that support the cleanup activities, as well as surfers who enjoy the coast as a leisure activity. Shimokita Geopark Promotion Council has been cooperating with the local residents and participating organizations by providing publicity activities and on-site explanations.
In addition, since 2021, these coastal cleanups has been participating in JEAN's cleanup campaign and submitting an International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) data card to make coastal cleanups become international activities, rather than local ones. During some of the coastal cleanups, microplastics which are a global problem, were sampled by researchers from the Mutsu Research Institute of the National Institute for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The results of the analysis were reported at the following year's beach cleanup, and the event has begun to be used as a place to learn about issues surrounding the oceans.
In this presentation, we will report on trends in marine debris based on ICC data cards for each of the three oceans facing Shimokita Geopark, and discuss sustainability in geopark through community-based coastal cleanups.
In Shimokita region, where people live together with the sea, marine debris drifting ashore has become a problem that cannot be overlooked. Therefore, local communities and local businesses have been involved in cleanup activities in various locations to beautify the coast and preserve coastal vegetation. Participants are not only local residents, but also include the Self-Defense Forces and other groups that support the cleanup activities, as well as surfers who enjoy the coast as a leisure activity. Shimokita Geopark Promotion Council has been cooperating with the local residents and participating organizations by providing publicity activities and on-site explanations.
In addition, since 2021, these coastal cleanups has been participating in JEAN's cleanup campaign and submitting an International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) data card to make coastal cleanups become international activities, rather than local ones. During some of the coastal cleanups, microplastics which are a global problem, were sampled by researchers from the Mutsu Research Institute of the National Institute for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The results of the analysis were reported at the following year's beach cleanup, and the event has begun to be used as a place to learn about issues surrounding the oceans.
In this presentation, we will report on trends in marine debris based on ICC data cards for each of the three oceans facing Shimokita Geopark, and discuss sustainability in geopark through community-based coastal cleanups.