Akkeshi fishermen’s forestation project: from the view point of coastal zone management

Abstract

In the early 1990s, some ten Akkeshi fishermen in their 30s, after mass die-offs of cultured oysters, started a forestation project in the river basin of Akkeshi Lake, in hope of revitalizing the coastal environment. Their activities are characterized with: (1) voluntary motivations acquired through participatory surveys on coastal environment, (2) institutional support from the municipal government, and (3) establishing partnership with an organic food company in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Weaknesses of their activities include (1) lack of cooperation with other stakeholders such as farmers and governments of higher levels than municipality, as well as (2) lack of mechanism to make the best of scientific knowledge to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the project. In order to lead the fishermen’s forestation project to solid environment conservation of the coastal zone, promoting participation and enhancing cooperation of every stakeholder including public institutions, local communities, and entrepreneurs are most needed, in addition to establishing partnership with the municipality.