Studies on Coastal Zone Management, Marine Environment, and Marine Education

Research on Comprehensive Management of Coastal Zones

A Mud Flat Requiring Comprehensive Coastal Management

"Comprehensive management of coastal zones" is an approach whereby the management of coastal zones is taken as a whole, rather than dealing individually with fisheries, transport, reclaimed land or other aspects of coastal areas, or treating landward and seaward sides as separate issues. This approach to comprehensively managing the development and utilization of coasts and the protection of their environments has now become a global standard.
In Japan, however, this approach has yet to develop fully; it was not codified in law until 2007, when the Basic Act on Ocean Policy was enacted. One of the basic measures provided by the Law is the comprehensive management of coastal zones.
At OPRF, we research appropriate ways of comprehensively managing coastal zones—important areas for the Japanese economy and way of life—in line with Japan's social, economic and natural conditions. We also propose necessary measures based on this research.

"Ocean Diagnosis" of Semi-enclosed Seas and Bays Project

The marine environment, in semi-enclosed waters in particular, has so far been assessed from a chemical viewpoint centering on water quality. However, as the marine environment is made up of diverse elements, if a traditional method were used for the assessment the situation could result in "making the water clear but with no fish" in the future. In order to keep the sea from becoming sterile, the 'mechanisms' and 'makeup' of the sea that maintain its environment need to be comprehensively assessed and closely observed.
As a tool for the evaluation of the sea, OPRF has researched and developed an evaluative process that we call "Ocean Diagnosis." Ocean Diagnosis is analogous to the human health check, and taking a hint from it, the diagnosis introduces a sense of preventive medicine wherein negative factors in the marine environment are discovered at an early stage through both an initial checkup corresponding to the annual regular health check and the second checkup equivalent to the thorough examination, which is conducted when something wrong is found. The results of the diagnosis are gathered together and integrated in a clinical chart that leads to preparation of a prescription for subsequent therapy. OPRF has made public specific details of the current health conditions of semi-enclosed seas and bays nationwide through "Ocean Diagnosis," with the results being incorporated into subsequent local and national environmental policy.

Research Aimed at Creating a System of Marine Education in Japan

Grand Design for Marine Education in the 21st Century (Elementary School Edition)

Article 28 of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy calls on the State to take necessary measures "in order that citizens shall have a better understanding of and deeper interest in the oceans, and to promote school education and social education with regard to the oceans." With this, efforts aimed at diffusing and promoting education on the oceans have been accelerated. However, the relative importance of marine education within the school education system remains opaque, while efforts to prepare the way for its diffusion and establishment have been inadequate. As a result, no notable outcome has been achieved thus far.
At OPRF, therefore, we have identified five conditions for diffusing marine education within the school curriculum: 1) clarify the content of the education, 2) develop the educational environment, 3) expand the system of external support, 4) develop human resources, and 5) promote educational research. To meet these five conditions, we are engaged in various research activities in cooperation with educational experts, government officials, and teachers in the field. As to the educational content, we have produced a specific curriculum in the form of our "Grand Design for Marine Education in the 21st Century." In it, we propose a format of marine education in conformance with the general curriculum for elementary and junior high schools. We are also pursuing practical research on marine education in cooperation with the education faculties of national universities, thus verifying this research from a pedagogical point of view.
By fusing policies on education with policies on the oceans through these research efforts, we are promoting various initiatives aimed at implementing the principles of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy.

Research on Holistic Management of Forests, Rivers and Seas

Environments in enclosed sea areas are greatly affected by conditions upstream (including forests). As such, environmental problems in enclosed seas and other coastal zones are said to require a holistic approach toward forests, rivers, and seas. In looking at actual cases of environmental management practiced in coastal areas around Japan, there is a close relationship between river basins and seas, suggesting a need to manage these holistically.
At OPRF, we research the need for holistic management of basins and seas and methods of meeting that need. We use the results of our research to propose measures designed to ensure the soundness and sustainable use of coastal zones.

Research and Development for Land-based Abalone Aquaculture System Using Refrigerated Ship Containers

The Land-based Abalone Aquaculture System in a Refrigerated Ship Container

In the past, Japan's aquaculture was concentrated mainly in bays, but due to the appearance of red tide, operations began to be moved to cleaner environments offshore. However, worsening water quality in both bay and offshore environments, due to organic wastes and leftover food, and increasing maintenance and equipment costs, has brought continued decline to the industry since its peak in 1985.
At OPRF we undertook research for the development of an environmentally friendly yet cost effective land-based abalone aquaculture system. The system we devised is composed of a compact easy-to-use cultivation bed and filtering tank inserted into used refrigerated ship containers. The simplicity of design and materials used in the Land-based Abalone Aquaculture System (SOF Aquaculture System) keeps initial investment and running costs low. We are continuing to refine the system toward making it available for wide practical application.