index > Today's Earth, Our Future > 1. Water on our planet > Let's Unite Our Efforts to Protect Our Precious Seas

Let's Unite Our Efforts to Protect Our Precious Seas

Do you know about any of the plans or activities that protect our precious seas?

First of all, setting a limit on fish catches and staying within that limit is one solution against overfishing (catching fish faster than they can reproduce). The fish population will naturally increase year to year as long as we don't catch more fish than can be replaced naturally, so we can continue fishing forever. The amount which is set for this limit is called a "sustainable" fish catch. The word "sustainable" means it can continue forever.

Japan is making an effort to reduce overfishing of certain types of fish by limiting fish catches and fishing areas. The problem with this method though, is that fish swim beyond country borders without a passport! So, in order for fishing limits to work, it is necessary for countries, especially those around a common sea, to cooperate in protecting fish.

Japan and its neighboring countries, such as China and South Korea, made rules about fishing. For example, "Let's not catch fish in this area," and "Let's only catch a certain amount of fish." Japan and other Asian countries together are doing surveys and studies about the Asian seas in order to protect the seas.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or simply called "the Law of the Sea," is an international agreement about the rules governing the sea. It has many important laws designed to protect the sea and to prevent pollution.

The Ramsar Convention, another international agreement, was made in 1971 to preserve wetlands and tidal flats, which are important for water birds. Japan is also taking part in this important convention. There are about 40 tidal flats remaining in Japan, and 13 of them are said to be crucial for migratory birds. However, the Ramsar Convention only protects a few of these tidal flats; without protection, it is likely that the others may eventually disappear because they may be filled with soil to use the land for other purposes.

How far migratory birds can fly without rest varies with the type of bird. They cannot continue their flight if they cannot find wetlands where they can land for food and rest. Some wetlands are being preserved individually, but that is not enough because they are often located too far away from one another for the birds. Countries around the world need to cooperate to preserve all the wetlands along birds' flight courses.

The most important thing is how we think and act as individuals. After reading this website, you will know the functions of the sea and its importance. Maybe it will make you think, "We are so lucky to have the sea!" "It's a terrible waste to pollute the sea!" and "How can we save the sea?"

Please think of one or two things you can do to help the sea. Then it is up to you to bring your ideas to life. Without action, your good ideas can't take effect. We hope our planet (and seas!) remains like the one we sing about in a famous Japanese children's song, "The Ocean is so big and vast!"

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