It has gradually become understood that phytoplankton growth in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Oyashio current areas is largely dependent on dissolved iron brought from the Amur River basin. However, land surface conditions in the river basin are being transformed due to China and Russia's economic growth. These changes will have a large effect on the discharge of dissolved iron, eventually affecting the living resources in these ocean areas. There is a need for immediate research into policy for integrated management of the ecological connections straddling land and sea areas.

In restoration of enclosed sea areas by shallows reclamation, the effects of oxygen deficiencies should be avoided by deciding on depths according to the unique environmental characteristics of an area rather than across the board. When filling in the gravel pits that are a cause of localized hypoxia, a suggestion for making restoration efforts more effective is to make the new depths shallower than the originals before extraction.

Amami Oshima is one of the Ryukyu Islands. It has a sub-tropical oceanic climate, abundant nature, and many interesting cultural and historical features. At present, however, regional development efforts are needed to help it address the issues of depopulation and a lack of economic strength and human resources. Although many approaches have been tried in the past, an ocean perspective that generates knowledge based on the island's culture and natural science is needed to create the vision of 'Ocean City Amami'.