Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Activities

Tackling Environmental Problems

Raising awareness through research activities

Ocean Expo Commemorative Park Management Foundation attempts to raise awareness about various issues by extensively publicizing the results of research activities related to the park. By keeping the public well-informed, the foundation makes its own contribution to society.

• Research surveys and monitoring surveys of coral reef biodiversity and artificial breeding
• Studies of sea turtle breeding, environmental impact, migratory routes, technological development, and other areas

At Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Sea Turtle Pool, we've undertaken measures to raise awareness of “reducing and no dumping waste” by showcasing examples of dolphins and sea turtles that have died by feeding on garbage that they mistook for food. Ocean Expo Commemorative Park Management Foundation is widely implementing projects for awareness-raising through the investigation research works related to the Park.

Every year in Okinawa Prefecture, there are many reports of sea turtles that died feeding on garbage they mistook for food. (Source: "Sea Turtle Monitoring Survey", below)

Tackling Environmental Problems

ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems to preserve the environment. Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation obtained the certificate in 2004.

We have implemented environment-friendly measures that are environmentally conscious with respect to the entire operation of the foundation, by composting the fallen leaves and remains of fish feed at the Park and using them practically or conserving energy and resources (moderating the use of cooling and heating and not wasting paper products).

Churaumi Column

Save the sea turtles!

There is a lot we can do to save sea turtles, including simple things like not carelessly throwing away garbage.
When you throw away rubbish in towns and cities, it gets blown by the wind into ditches and rivers and then flows into the sea, causing pollution. Sea turtles eat this garbage, mistaking it for food. This can also happen to other marine life, such as dolphins and fish.

Garbage fills a dolphin's stomach

The picture on the right shows the contents of a spotted dolphin's stomach. The dolphin was taken into the Aquarium in October 2009, but died just two days later.
Autopsy results showed that its stomach was full of garbage. Unable to digest the garbage it had eaten, it eventually died.
It's very important to realise the effect the garbage we throw away has on the ocean and the creatures that live there. It's vital that each and every one of us does whatever we can to help.

 

*Please note that there are reading mistake.

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