As various marine and coastal crises loom, the conservation and restoration of "blue carbon" ecosystems is attracting attention as a measure to mitigate and adapt to global warming, as well as an effort to achieve nature positivity. In November 2023, an international workshop was held to share the cutting edge of research, the current status of activities, and messages for the future.

Among blue carbon ecosystems, seagrass and macroalgal beds have been managed for many years as important coastal ecosystems in the fisheries sector. Management has been carried out to ensure the sustainable use of macroalgal beds, from daily maintenance by fishermen, to maintaining and expanding their distribution in organized efforts at the fisheries cooperative and local government levels. A method for calculating CO2 storage volume that makes it possible to visualize the value of such regional management in the fisheries sector within the framework of climate change countermeasures has been released.

Hakata Bay in Fukuoka City is a hub for logistics and human exchanges and has rich fishing grounds. However, the deterioration of the seabed environment and environmental dependency have a major impact on the eelgrass beds. Fukuoka FUN works mainly with divers to protect and restore the eelgrass beds. Furthermore, it pursues the sustainability of the marine environment through collaboration with various entities.

Gagome is a rare type of kelp that grows mainly along the coast of Hakodate, with complex uneven patterns on the entire surface of its blade (length: 1.5〜3m, width: 20〜50cm) and a strong sticky texture. It contains many water-soluble viscous polysaccharides such as fucoidan, and is an attractive seaweed resource that can contribute to industrialization as a highly functional material for a variety of foods, health foods, and beauty products.