The Blow to Nori Farming in Okayama Prefecture - The Environment in 2007

The Blow to Nori Farming in Okayama Prefecture - The Environment in 2007

Along the coast of Okayama Prefecture, rising sea water temperatures during the winter months have become a serious problem, having a major impact on nori-agriculture, which has long been the region's mainstay livelihood. As global warming progresses, the traditional aquaculture environment is rapidly changing, making stable production difficult. According to testimonies from fishermen, the harvest was declining year by year compared to the days when it used to be abundant, and this was having a serious impact on the local economy. Since Okayama's nori was known for its high quality and was highly valued in domestic and international markets, its decline had a major impact not only on the fishermen, but also on distributors and consumers.

At the time, Japan was finally becoming keenly aware of global warming as a phenomenon that threatened familiar lifestyles and industries. Several years had passed since the Kyoto Protocol came into effect, and global warming countermeasures were in full swing in the international community. The decline of Okayama Prefecture's nori-agriculture was reported symbolically as part of this trend. Fishermen tried various technical innovations to survive in a situation where conventional fishing methods were unable to cope with the situation. For example, there was a widespread movement to adjust the depth of the water in which nets were set to take advantage of lower water temperature layers and to seek the introduction of new heat-resistant varieties. Research on devices to improve seawater circulation was also underway, and efforts to control the marine environment itself were also attempted.

Behind these challenges lay more than simply protecting a traditional industry. Nori cultivation, which supports the coastal culture of the Seto Inland Sea, is closely tied to the identity of the region, and its decline would have meant the transformation of lifestyles and culture. People had no choice but to experience firsthand the reality that environmental changes have a direct impact on local economies and lifestyles. The events in Okayama in 2007 will be remembered as a chapter in the story of the trials of Japan's fishing industry in the age of global warming.