Ishigaki Island Coral Cries - June 2004

Ishigaki Island Coral Cries - June 2004

The ocean of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, was once a natural treasure trove of world-class coral reefs and a major tourist attraction. In the early 2000s, however, the coral reefs were in serious danger. Coastal development and port expansion due to tourism development, as well as domestic wastewater from households and lodging facilities, flowed directly into the sea, degrading the water quality. In addition, rising sea water temperatures due to global warming caused rapid coral bleaching.

In response to this situation, local residents, environmental NPOs, researchers, and others took action. They promoted the spread of combined septic tanks, tree-planting campaigns, and measures to prevent red soil runoff, but at the time, these measures were not sufficiently effective, and the sense of crisis was only growing. In addition, since the local economy depended on tourism, balancing "nature conservation" and "tourism promotion" was a major challenge.

Behind this was the tourism boom that had continued since the 1970s and the resort development that accelerated during the bubble period. As a result, the number of tourists increased rapidly on Ishigaki Island, and environmental burdens accumulated before infrastructure development could keep pace. The government's response was also backward, and it was pointed out that environmental assessments had become a mere skeleton and that the standards were lax.

Coral reefs are not merely aesthetically pleasing; they are a cradle for fishery resources and a natural breakwater that protects the land from typhoons and storm surges. The case of Ishigaki Island shows that the impact of changes in the natural environment extends to the entire community, and is not simply a local problem. 2004, this silent cry became one of the starting points of the nationwide coral reef conservation movement.