Wakame farming is an active industry in Shizugawa Bay, Minami Sanriku, Iwate Prefecture, and as a traditional fishing method, stem residue left over from the process of scraping away the mekabu (the flowering part of wakame) is disposed of in the sea as food for sea urchins. With the permission of the Japan Coast Guard, a survey will be carried out over three years to identify whether the more than 2,000 tons discarded per year is actually consumed by sea urchins, and whether the remaining stems actually completely decompose over time. The survey will also identify any connections between this practice and the bleaching of rock fishing spots and rapid growth of sea urchin populations in the region. The project will also conduct research and development of water quality improvement agents utilizing stem residue in order to promote the regeneration of seaweed beds and rock fishing spots. The field of activity has been specified as the seaweed beds and rock fishing spots of Shizugawa Bay, Minami Sanriku was registered by the Ramsar Convention in October 2018. [No. K18-0093]

Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund FY2018 Activity Grants List (PDF 372KB)