Silent Scream - Decrease in mud flats in Ise Bay, Mie Prefecture (June 2004)

Silent Scream - Decrease in mud flats in Ise Bay, Mie Prefecture (June 2004)

In Ise Bay, large-scale land reclamation and river improvement have been carried out along with urban development and industrial promotion since the period of rapid economic growth. This has resulted in the rapid loss of tidal flats along the bay's shores, with serious consequences for biodiversity. In particular, in the area around Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, the catch of clams has plummeted and the number of birds that depend on the tidal flats has decreased, upsetting the balance of the natural ecosystem. In response, local conservation groups and citizens developed a sense of crisis and launched a campaign calling for the conservation and restoration of the tidal flats. Activities to have the area registered under the Ramsar Convention and opposition to the land reclamation plan became more active, and attempts were made to engage in dialogue with the government. However, the conflict between the economic benefits of development and the protection of nature was deep-r
ooted, and the preservation of the tidal flats was not an easy task. Nevertheless, these movements triggered nationwide discussions on wetland conservation and provided an opportunity to rethink the nature of ecosystems in urban areas. The case of Ise Bay is a symbolic challenge in today's society, where the conflict between the environment and development continues.