Achieving gender equality is also a major goal of the SDGs. The era of zero women in Japan's maritime sector is now a thing of the past, but still many challenges remain. A book entitled "Toward Gender Equality on the Sea" will be published this spring. The book discusses the proposals and expectations necessary for the development of the maritime sector in a sustainable society based on gender diversity. Here, I would like to provide an overview of the book.

The Yangtze river dolphin (baiji) has become extinct in the Yangtze River of China due to the deterioration of the river environment and bycatch in the fishery industry. The number of Yangtze finless porpoises is also on the decline, and acoustic monitoring, which is more effective than visual observation, is being used to conduct surveys on their populations. In recent years, soundscape surveys have also begun, hinting at the possibility of understanding ecosystems more comprehensively.

Dugong conservation on the island of Koh Talibong in Thailand appears to be a success. A marine conservation area was established with the idea that the protecting dugongs, a symbol of the rich sea, would also help small-scale fisheries to prosper, and local NGOs and private organizations played an active role in the project. Furthermore, the death of an orphaned dugong further heightened residents' awareness. However, there are still challenges to be overcome in making the ocean the foundation for sustainable livelihoods for residents.