Artificial reefs in Japan
Artificial reefs are used to increase the sustainable fishing activities on the coastline of Japan, which depends heavily on the sea for food.
History
Written evidence suggests that artificial reefs were already in use in Japan between 1789 and 1801[1].
- Since 1930, Japan has granted subsidies for the construction of various types of reefs.
- In 1952, Japanese artificial reef research and construction efforts intensified and since then they have continued to expand and improve their program.
Specially designed habitats
Artificial reefs are used by the Japanese to improve coastal fisheries. They build both shallow water reefs (called "tsukiiso") for shellfish and seaweeds and deeper water reefs (called "gyosho") for finfish [2].
Japanese scientists have evidence that specifically designed shallow water reefs can improve survival and growth of juvenile abalone [3]. While the Japanese have been putting millions, and in recent years billions, of dollars into developing sophisticated techniques to create new habitat and increase seafood production [4]. Japan, and more recently Taiwan [2], have put most of their effort into specifically designed and constructed units.
See also
Notes
- ^ Ino (1974)
- ^ a b (Sheehy, 1981)
- ^ (Sheehy, 1979)
- ^ (Sheehy, 1982)
References
- Ino, T. 1974. Historical review of artifIcial reef activities in Japan. In L. Colunga and R. B.Stone (editors), Proceedings of an international conference on artificial reefs, p. 21- 23. Texas A&M University.
- Sheehy, D. J. 1979. Fisheries development: Japan. Water Spectrum 12(1):1-9.
- Sheehy, D. J. 1981. ArtifIcial reef programs in Japan and Taiwan. In D. Y. Aska (editor), ArtifIcial reefs: Conference proceedings, p. 185-198. Fla.
- Sheehy, D. J. 1982. ArtifIcial reefs in Japan. In J. D. Murray (compiler), Mid-Atlantic artifIcial reef conference a collection of abstracts, p. 7. N.J.
- Stone, R. 1982. Artificial Reefs: Toward a New Era in Fisheries Enhancement?