Progress in the scientific understanding of deep sea marine biodiversity cannot be said to be on a par with that of land and coastal areas. However, thanks to the steady advances of technology and international research projects, we have now begun to understand that creatures that have adapted to deep sea environments have a surprising ability to produce diversity in ecosystems, species, and functions. This understanding not only brings us scientific knowledge about the deep sea, but also alerts us to the dangers that we currently, and will continue to bring, to our oceans.

Of the 2,000 cases of ships meeting accidents at sea in 2016, small boats are involved in 75% of accidents. Against this backdrop, there has been interest in advancing the development of smartphone applications that can help to support ship navigation and prevent such accidents.With the consideration and creation of guidelines to assist the development of the application, it is expected that navigation assistance via smartphones will become mainstream and lead to a decrease in accidents of small boats.

For close to 10 years now, we have continued in our efforts to have “Ama” divers placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Following their promotion in the NHK television drama “Ama-chan,” the Ama divers, who dive for fish unaided by oxygen tanks, attracted attention and popularity at the Ise-Shima Summit last year. However, the number of Ama divers has decreased, along with the decrease in traditional fishing methods and festivals. Ama divers, who exemplify co-existence with the ocean through sustainable fishing, are exceptional examples of Japan's ocean cultural heritage. We would like for more people to know how incredible they are.
Selected Papers No.23(p.12)