Progress report for
Developing networks on the environmental management of enclosed coastal seas (EMECS)
Achievement at a glance
(1) EMECS14 ConferenceThe EMECS 14 Conference scheduled to be held in Cairns, Australia in 2026 was suspended. The EMECS Center will review the EMECS Conference to make it more effective and desirable along with new directions.
(2) Satoumi Creation development
On May 27, 2024, the EMECS Center signed an Agreement to Promote the Satoumi Creation with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) with the aim of improving biodiversity and biological productivity in coastal areas, promoting the Satoumi Creation that aims to create a virtuous cycle of conservation and utilization, and contributing the development of local communities.
Going forward, the EMECS Center and the MOE work together to promote the Satoumi Creation by complementing and combining the knowledge and activities of each party.
(3) 4th Satoumi Conference 2024
On November 16 and 17, 2024, “The Fourth Satoumi Conference 2024 in Otsuki; Kashiwajima Island on the Edge of Kochi Prefecture; Cultivating the Sea and Protecting the Lifestyle There, A big Challenge for a Small Island” was held in Otsuki Town, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, co-sponsored by the Kuroshio Experience Center, the Satoumi Research Institute and the EMECS Center, and was attended by approximately 130 people.
The conference consisted of three sessions under the themes “Creating Satoumi Aiming for Independence and Self-sufficiency”, “Satoumi Education and Human Resource Development” and “Necessity of Risk Management in the face of natural disasters.”
(4) High School Students Marine Environmental Conservation Research Presentation
To promote the development of human resources who will be responsible for marine environmental conservation in the next generation, the International EMECS Center has been holding the High School Student Marine Environmental Conservation Research Presentation since FY2022, where experts provide advice on research activities conducted by high school students that contribute to environmental conservation in coastal areas and river basins.
In FY 2024, the presentation training session (closed to the public) was held on November 3, 2024. 8 schools participating gave presentations on their environmental conservation research and activities in river basins and coastal areas, focusing on marine debris, the use of unused fish, plankton, tidal flat environments, plastic debris, and oil spills. They received guidance and advice from five presentation advisors on how to proceed with their research methods and activities, how to present their work, and ways to make their presentation slides easier to understand.
On January 25, 2025, a public presentation was held and the students presented their refined reports based on the advice they received at the training session.
After the presentations, the presentation supervisors evaluated the presentations, and the Grand Prize and 2 Excellent Prizes were awarded.
Challenges faced in implementation
N/ANext Steps
Chisato HosomiBeneficiaries
Researchers, administrative officials, educators, students, citizens
Actions
- The 4th Satoumi Conference was a good opportunity for people who are involved in the Satoumi Creation across Japan to meet and discuss the Satoumi Creation and build a network among them.- The High School Students Marine Environmental Conservation Research Presentation held on January 25 was open to the public. It was a good opportunity for researchers, administrative officials, students, citizens etc. who participated in the presentation to know that high school students researched marine environment with enthusiasm.
The students who participate in the presentation program gave us their feedback that it was a good experience to be able to receive advice from experts on the marine environment.