On June 27, 2025, fifth-grade students from Notojima Elementary School successfully completed the survey of living creatures at rocky shore in Nagasaki-machi, Notojima. This event was organized by Nanao City and Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group supported by UNU. Hiroaki Arakawa from the working group (Noto Marine Center) served as an instructor. Also, Koji Ito (Gifu University), Sayako Koyama (Researcher, UNU), Nobuhide Gennai (Notojima Shizen-no-Sato Nagasaki) and Yoshihiro Kimori (Notojima Aquarium) supported the activity at the site.
Firstly, the activity schedule was shared by Ms Odake from Nanao City. Mr Arakawa explained about the environment where satoumi creatures live, using the educational material created by the working group. After receiving the instructions, participants moved to the coast, equipped with life jackets and marine boots, brought the hydroscope and a bucket to collect creatures. Their expectations rose when they looked into the sea from the seawall and foundsmall fishe swimming. Now, it is time to collect creatures in the shallows of the rocky shore.
Although the water level is higher than usual as Nanao Bay has subsided slightly due to the earthquake, the children did not care and went into the sea with full energy. At first glance, there were not many creatures to be seen, but if we looked closely, we foud many small shells. One of the children found a bunch of sea snails (Echinolittorina radiata) on a rock and happily put them in a bucket. Each of them is engrossed in the search for living creatures, trying to catch a fast-moving fish or trying hard to pull out a Japanese goose barnacle (Capitulum mitella) from a crevice in the rocks, each trying to devise a way to find creatures. It was impressive to see them helping each other naturally, like some of them offered a hand to a friend who almost slipped. In the latter half of the activity, some of the children were soaked up to their waists in the water and peering into the sea with hydroscope in both hands. They kept looking for creatures as if they were swimming. Despite it being a short time, each seemed to enjoy the encounter with the creatures.
It is time for each group to identify the creatures they have caught. While listening to the instructor’s explanation, the participants checked and recorded the names of species by using the educational material. The students were taught the difference in the shape of the lid between a turbinid gastropod (Lunella correensis) and other sea snails. They also attempted to identify the species of crabs, developing a deeper understanding of these living creatures in the process. It was also impressive to see children’s honest reactions to the blessing of the sea when they found a small oyster and shouted, “I want to eat it!”. The students took the creaturesinto their hands and observed them carefully, enjoying the interaction with them.
Nagasaki-machi, Notojima, where the survey was held, is one of the areas that was severely damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. It was very meaningful to have the opportunity to experience nature with local children again at this place. We hope that this survey of living creatures will lead them to become even more interested in nature and living creatures in their own community, and that they will continue to deepen their understanding through various activities in the future.
