History and Challenges of Coastal Cleanup Activities - Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture

History and Challenges of Coastal Cleanup Activities - Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Launched in 2000, the "Wajima Coastal Cleanup Project" has been promoted in cooperation with citizen groups, a local company "Wajima Environmental Development Corporation," a fishery cooperative, and the local government in order to balance tourism and fishing. In the early stages of the project, more than 40 tons of debris was collected annually, expanding the seaweed bed area by 1.5 times. Fishery revenues also increased by 20%. On the other hand, global warming has led to a decline in fishery resources, and new measures are underway to address this issue using AI technology and funds. This activity is attracting attention as a national model for environmental protection.