As a new pillar of support for the regeneration and revitalization of beaches, “Umi-gyo” adds value to fishing ports and villages, contributes to the growth of surrounding regions, and is consistent with the aims of the Beach Revitalization Plan being implemented on beaches throughout the country by the National Federation of Fisheries Co-operatives. I would like here to consider the coexistence and co-prosperity of offshore wind power generation and fisheries from an Umi-gyo perspective, with reference to the activities of the regional revitalization project of Choshi City in Chiba Prefecture that has offshore wind power generation at its core.

It is said that 80% of plastic marine debris originates on land. A breakdown of the figures shows that outflows are especially large in East and Southeast Asia. In order to solve the marine debris problem in the world’s interconnected oceans, it might be necessary to expand Japan’s recycle flow, which is based on coordination among municipalities and businesses, as a model case to East and Southeast Asia.

The more than a thousand fish memorials to be seen around Japan are truly a rich source of information, testifying to the history of the local fishing industry as well as the people’s feelings towards other forms of life. After visiting several of the remaining memorials in Oomori and Kawasaki dedicated to seaweed cultivation in Tokyo Bay, I would like to tell the story of its prosperity and ending.