Beloved by the Japanese since ancient times, bonito are a seasonally migratory species that make the tropical zones their spawning grounds, from which they swim north to waters near Japan from spring to fall. However, since the 1990s there has been a sharp drop in the bonito catch in nearby waters, with 2014 being the lowest in the post World War 2 era. At the same time, as the tropical purse seine fishing industry is fitted out with the latest equipment and there are an ever-increasing number of foreign ships, fish catch pressures in the tropics continue to grow. If we are to continue to use bonito effectively as a human food resource, strengthening of the tropical purse seine fishing industry's resource management systems must be made a priority issue.

The Center for Water Sports and Sciences at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya was established in 1987 as a Joint Use Facility for Education and Research. Along with being a focus for carrying out education, training, and research activities regarding marine sports, it is also used for extra-curricular activities and made available to outside groups. The Center aims at the development of instructors, increased competitiveness, and enlarging the base of those who engage in marine sports as a lifelong activity. This article introduces some of these activities.

Brought together by the research on tidal flats and seashores that we did in our student days, even after graduation we "Gata girls" (tideland girls) continue as a hobby with our research, environmental studies, and hosting of events. While the Gata girls use a variety of seashore areas for their activities, I am currently engaged in a program focused on children in Amagasaki and Omiya City called "Children's Local Collaboration and the Creation of Marine Culture." I realize now that it's when adults enjoy themselves to the hilt that they also enjoy a continuous inspiration for their activities.