2023/9/28
On September 8, 2023, a “Survey on Marine Life in Satoumi area” was conducted by sixth-grade students from Wakura Elementary School in Nanao City. This survey was supported by experts from the Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group, including Mr. Sakai from the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology at Kanazawa University, Professor Yanai from Ishikawa Prefectural University, Mr. Arakawa from the Noto Marine Center, Mr. Kinoshita from Kanazawa University’s Noto Campus, and Researcher Koyama from the United Nations University.
During the survey, the students were divided into groups and initially searched for marine life among the rocks on the breakwater. Some students used nets to collect creatures from the water, while others caught them using gloved hands. A few students became so focused in the activity that they haven’t even realized that they got their rears soaked! From the breakwater, they could also see areas of eelgrass.
Next, they placed the collected rock-dwelling creatures onto trays for observation. Using worksheets created by the working group as well as supplementary materials developed for this year, Mr. Sakai provided explanations about the various species they discovered. They found many types of sea snail, including those belonging to the shitadami family, which are also used as ingredients in local cuisine, as well as Araretama-kibigai (a specie of littorinid snail), Sugai (Lunella correensis), and Reishigai (Reishia luteostoma). One group of students who found a small turban shell repeatedly exclaimed, “Oh, I want to eat this!” They also discovered a young sharpbeak terapon (Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus).
Following that, they observed what creatures inhabit the artificial sandy beach. Mr. Sakai explained that the countless holes in the sand were made by sand crabs, which sparked a search for these creatures. Although it was challenging to find them, they were eventually able to observe a specimen discovered by Mr. Arakawa. The students were fascinated by the cute appearance of the sand crab with its large eyes.
The students not only looked at the creatures but also considered what types of debris had washed ashore. They learned that many of the broken tubes they found were actually used in oyster farming. Wakura Elementary School is also promoting SDGs education, so both the teachers and the students showed a strong interest in observing the debris. They collected noticeable litter and put it into bags they had brought with them to take it home.
Even though the children live very close to the ocean, opportunities to observe marine life in their daily lives have become less frequent. Through this observation event, where they were able to find and touch living creatures themselves, they likely deepened their understanding of biodiversity and their interest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Going forward, OUIK hopes that this observation event will serve as a springboard for further learning about the importance of the coastal environment (satoumi) around them, the creatures that inhabit it, and the connections between those creatures and our lives.
The supplementary materials used during this event will be finalized within this academic year, incorporating feedback from instructors and school teachers.
