This study focuses on determining the optimum number of sea turtles that can be safely harvested while achieving the dual goals of preserving traditional Ogasawara Island food culture and ensuring sufficient protection of this endangered animal. A significant number of marine animal populations worldwide have experienced serious declines due to excessive harvesting by humans – a situation caused by overfishing to meet market demand without consideration of its impact on ecology. In recent years, global warming and other forms of climate change have been impacting the survival of animal populations, and sea turtles are particularly susceptible to climate change due to the fact that the temperature of the beach where eggs are laid plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings. With a focus on protecting both the livelihoods of local residents and local sea turtle stocks, we plan to conduct an ecological survey of sea turtles in the Ogasawara Islands and consider an optimal approach to use of the local sea turtle population that will allow them to prosper despite climate change. [No. R19-0039]

Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund FY2019 Research Grants List (PDF 508KB)