Why the Shakotan Method is Attracting Attention Nationwide: The Successful Cycle of "Region, Environment, and Economy" Created by Sea Urchin Fishing (Part 2)

Part1We asked him about the half-century of practice that led to the realization of the "Shakotan Method," and he also told us about the key points to consider when turning discarded sea urchin shells into fertilizer, as well as what the fertilization process is like in the frigid ocean.

In Part 2, we will look at examples of developments that have been made possible through J. Blue Credit certification, and we will also be joined by Sayuri Oyama of SHAKOTAN Umimori School Co., Ltd., who will talk about the school's concept and future prospects.

The effectiveness of seaweed beds is proven on a global scale – J Blue Credit certification

-After the seaweed bed restoration was successful, you turned your attention to another effect: blue carbon. What impact did J Blue Credit* certification have on the project and beyond? Please let us know if there have been any specific changes.

We established the "Shakotan Town, Hokkaido Blue Carbon Creation Project Council," which brings together the Shakotan Spirit Corporation, a company. I believe this has made our activities more organized and unified than before. Furthermore, with the official approval of J Blue Credit certification, Shakotan Town's efforts have been thrust into the spotlight even further. While activities have previously been centered around people in the fishing industry, we are now receiving calls from people in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and finance, who say, "We want to contribute to combating global warming by working with local fishermen to create seaweed beds," and "We want to learn how we can collaborate."

We also collaborated with a rubber products manufacturer in Otaru to develop and patent a fertilizer for seaweed cultivation, as we were concerned that if a major company obtained a patent and commercialized the product, it would become too expensive and would not become widespread.

■ J Blue Creditⓡ: Amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by seaweed beds, mangroves, etc. (This is a system that quantifies blue carbon emissions and allows them to be traded as tradable credits. It is managed by the Japan Blue Economy Technology Research Association (JBE). It is used for transactions between large companies that find it difficult to reduce CO2 emissions and organizations that engage in CO2 absorption activities (carbon offsets).

Finding a connection with the nature around you - SHAKOTAN Sea and Forest School is fun for both adults and children

-In 2025, as a social education and regional revitalization project derived from the Circulating Seaweed Bed Creation (Shakotan Method) project,SHAKOTAN Umimori School Co., Ltd." was established. What is your philosophy behind running the company? Please tell us if there is anything that you value.

KoyamaSHAKOTAN Sea Forest School offers programs such as environmental education, corporate training, and local experience tours for a wide range of people, from the general public to companies.

Mr. Koyama is the guide for the Cape Kamui eco-tour organized by SHAKOTAN Sea Forest School.

People from all walks of life participate every time, but the most important thing is to build connections with people. We also get cooperation from local fishermen and their union members, and sometimes the fishermen give explanations themselves, or we have chefs fillet fish in front of the participants. We mainly coordinate experience plans that allow local people to play a leading role.

Shakotan may not have any rare creatures or special environmental resources, but it is full of nature all around. We want to provide a way for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty that is so commonplace, regardless of physical strength or age. What we particularly value is that parents and children can enjoy it together. Programs aimed at children can leave parents feeling unsatisfied, while programs aimed at adults can leave children feeling left out, making it difficult to strike a balance. At SHAKOTAN Sea and Forest School, we want to create experiences that are satisfying for everyone, including parents and children.

Mizutori-san: Through SHAKOTAN Sea Forest School, I want students to feel the blessings of nature that cannot be expressed in numbers. I hope that the school will become a place where students can experience firsthand the connections between forests, rivers, and the sea, and the rich natural resources that exist in their river basins, and how they are connected to our lives and economic activities.

The Sea Urchin School Project, which focuses on the fisheries of Shakotan Town, will be holding a tour to taste the town's brand yellowtail, "Shihou," in the fall.

From Shakotan to the rest of the country, and to the next generation - The tireless challenge of the Shakotan Project

-The "Shakotan Method" is currently attracting attention from all over the country. What kind of developments do you think are possible in the future? Please let us know if you have any specific plans.

Mizutori-san: With regard to sea urchin shell fertilizer, we have completed the trial activity phase, and have put in place a system for collecting sea urchin shells throughout the region and commercialized the production of sea urchin shell fertilizer. In the future, we are considering selling sea urchin shell fertilizer to areas outside of Shakotan Town and collecting sea urchin shells from there. We are also considering developing sea urchin shell fertilizer that is effective in restoring eelgrass beds, and would like to create a system that will allow us to widely share our seaweed bed restoration techniques.

As a whole, we hope to utilize the multifaceted functions of fishing villages and fishing industries to create an environment where the next generation can safely engage in fishing and raise public interest in fishing. To that end, we aim to build a regenerative fishing industry centered on the fishing port, including sea forest and peninsula adventure tours. We would like to further expand this challenge that began in Shakotan as a "maritime industry" that will become a revitalization project for the town.

Connections between people are the core - forging a future together with nature

-What do you think is necessary to make sustainable seafood mainstream? Please let us know if you have any specific challenges or opinions.

Mizutori-san: To establish sustainable fishing, it is not enough to simply increase the number of target species; we must start by nurturing the natural environment that supports primary industries. It is essential to increase seaweed beds, which are the base (foundation) of the ecosystem and food chain, and to preserve a rich ocean where diverse organisms can survive.

Companies that are not directly related to the primary industry can also participate in the creation of seaweed beds. For example, a system can be created in which the manufacturing industry can participate in environmental issues by providing financial support. Currently, in Shakotan, this system itself is being used as a regional revitalization model.PlanIt is.

The core of such an initiative is the connection between people. By bringing together people who empathize with the purpose and share the same aspirations, rather than simply viewing it as an economic activity, things move forward much more quickly. In Shakotan, the proposal was naturally accepted and the project was able to proceed smoothly thanks to the strong relationship of trust that had been built up between the town office and fishermen over more than 10 years. We would like to spread the "Shakotan spirit" while disseminating information so that similar initiatives can be undertaken in other coastal areas as well.

Mizutori and Sakurai, who returned to Shakotan after retirement, spent their student days in Hokkaido and participated in the project after being introduced to a fisherman in Shakotan who had looked after them at the time, while Koyama moved to Hokkaido in search of nature and was captivated by the charms of Shakotan. Everyone's stories were filled with love for Shakotan and respect for the fishermen.

Written by: Ryoko Nakagawa

After working as a practical and research assistant for environmental education courses for citizens at a university, she became a freelancer in 2023. She is a staff member at Sakanayamarukama, a cooperative fish sales outlet that connects the local community. She is also a member of the Science Readings Research Association newsletter editorial department. She writes while being involved in science education and environmental education.