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

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

Launched in 2000, the "Wajima Coastal Cleanup Project" has been carried out through collaboration between civic groups, the local company Wajima Environmental Development Co., Ltd., the fisheries cooperative, and the municipal government, with the aim of balancing tourism and fishing. In the initial stages, more than 40 tons of washed-up trash were collected annually, and the area of seaweed beds was expanded to 1.5 times its original size. By the 2010s, positive effects on the local economy were evident, including a 15% increase in fishing revenue and a rise in tourist numbers. In the 2020s, annual collection reached 60 tons, and the area of seaweed beds doubled. Fishing revenue also increased by 20%. However, due to the impact of global warming, marine resources have declined, prompting the implementation of new measures utilizing AI technology and funding. This initiative is garnering attention as a national model for environmental conservation.