Seaforest Restoration for Ecosystem Recovery - November 2000

Seaforest Restoration for Ecosystem Recovery

Seaforesting refers to efforts to plant algae and seagrasses underwater to restore marine ecosystems. This initiative aims to improve the habitats of marine life and promote sustainable fisheries and ecosystem conservation in the face of declining fishery resources and deteriorating marine environments.

Efforts in Wakayama Prefecture
The Wakayama Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Technology Center is progressing with a project to restore seaweed beds by cultivating "Hondawara" algae. Seaweed beds are crucial habitats where marine life, such as fish, shellfish, and shrimp, spawn and grow. However, overfishing, marine pollution, and the effects of global warming have led to the loss of many seaweed beds.

Role of Hondawara
Hondawara is a type of seaweed that inhabits shallow coastal areas, performing photosynthesis and supplying oxygen. It also absorbs carbon dioxide from the ocean, playing a role in carbon fixation. Planting Hondawara helps restore lost seaweed beds, contributing to carbon cycling in the ocean and enriching coastal ecosystems.

Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Fisheries
The seaforesting project is expected to aid the recovery of fishery resources. Restored seaweed beds will attract fish and shellfish back to the area, along with other marine organisms, leading to the revival of a rich ecosystem. This will contribute to the realization of sustainable fisheries.

Technology and Future Prospects
Seaforesting requires techniques to cultivate algae seedlings and plant them underwater. The Wakayama project uses an artificial substrate to secure Hondawara seedlings, allowing them to grow. Advances in such technologies could enable broader-scale restoration of seaweed beds, with nationwide implementation in sight.

Challenges and Outlook
However, seaforesting faces challenges such as seedling loss due to typhoons and strong waves, and poor growth caused by rising seawater temperatures. Overcoming these challenges requires technological development, community cooperation, and long-term management perspectives to achieve sustainable seaweed bed restoration.

Conclusion
Seaforest restoration for ecosystem recovery is a crucial initiative that aims to balance environmental conservation with sustainable resource use. The restoration of seaweed beds not only improves the marine environment but also contributes to the local economy, supporting the construction of a sustainable society for the future.