History and Progress of Coastal Cleanup Activities and Regional Revitalization - Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture

History and Progress of Coastal Cleanup Activities and Regional Revitalization - Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture

In 2000, Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture launched the "Wajima Coastal Cleanup Project" to preserve the rich natural environment of the Noto Peninsula. This initiative aims to balance tourism and fishing, with collaboration among civic groups, the local company "Wajima Environmental Development Co., Ltd.," fishery cooperatives, and local government. In its early stages, the monthly "Wajima Coastal Cleanup Day" involved over 2,000 participants annually, collecting more than 40 tons of drift waste each year. Additionally, seagrass bed restoration projects were implemented, promoting the growth of seaweed and yielding ecological benefits.

**2010s: Achievements and Expansion**
In the 2010s, significant progress was made in restoring seagrass beds. Particularly, the growth of Noto seaweed such as Akamoku and Wakame improved, and seagrass bed areas expanded to 1.5 times their initial size. These efforts contributed to a 15% increase in fishing revenues, significantly supporting the local economy. Moreover, financial and technical support from local companies enhanced the efficiency of cleanup activities. The number of tourists also grew, highlighting the project as a model of integrating environmental protection with regional development.

During this period, the impacts of climate change became apparent, with reductions in abalone and turban shell populations. To address these issues, the fishery cooperative and "Wajima Environmental Development Co., Ltd." began experimental installations of artificial seagrass protection structures as part of climate change countermeasures. The "Marine Environmental Education Program," targeting local children, expanded to include approximately 500 participants annually.

**2020s: New Challenges and Efforts**
In the 2020s, activities further expanded. By 2022, the annual amount of collected drift waste reached 60 tons, with over 3,000 participants involved in cleanup activities. The seagrass bed area doubled compared to the start of the project, resulting in a 20% increase in fishing revenues. A prefecture-wide "Zero Marine Plastics" awareness campaign was implemented, and the waste separation rate in Wajima City reached 75%.

However, the effects of climate change remain a serious concern. Rising sea temperatures have reduced abalone and turban shell catches to 70% of the average levels in the 2010s. In response, "Wajima Environmental Development Co., Ltd." introduced AI-based sea temperature monitoring systems to improve the efficiency of seagrass restoration efforts.

In addition, the "Wajima Marine Environmental Fund," established in 2021, has attracted over 100 million yen in nationwide donations, supporting the introduction of new technologies and strengthening the foundation of ongoing activities.

**Conclusion**
Wajima City's coastal cleanup activities have aimed for harmony between local communities and the natural environment for over 20 years. Through the groundwork of the 2000s, the expansion of activities in the 2010s, and the challenges of the 2020s, the project has become a nationally recognized model for environmental conservation. This initiative offers a vision for sustainable regional communities in the future.