The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Tokyo Office periodically receives and disseminates reports on research developments in Japan that are related to the Foundation's mission. NSF-sponsored researchers currently working in Japan prepare many of these reports. These reports present information for use by NSF program managers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF policy. .
Ms. Maria Efthimiadis, a Ed.D. candidate in the Department of Higher Education at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, prepared the following report. Ms. Efthimiadis was a participant in the 1998 Monbusho Summer Program sponsored by NSF and the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho). Professor Makoto Terazaki of the Ocean Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan hosted Ms. Efthimiadis. Ms. Efthimiadis can be reached via email at: Byron@sinfo.net
This report focuses on marine issues of importance in Japan and how marine environmental problems impact human health. In addition, education is emphasized as one way to slow or reverse the process.
Since ancient times, the Japanese people have been dependent on the ocean for their livelihoods. They have been sustained by the sea for their supply of fish, seaweed and other marine resources. However, Japan is a small nation with limited resources and in recent times the development of marine sciences and technology is a special area of concern (Sigurdson, l995, p. 247). In Japan, marine exploration has become a leading area of concern just as it has become a major concern in many other industrial countries.
Although marine environmental problems are complex and linked to overpopulation and poverty, the socioeconomic profile of the country has been an important component in the severity of the environmental problem (Yap, 1992). As human populations have been provided with 95% of their living marine resources from large marine ecosystems, changes in the care of the ecosystems needs to take place (Sherman, 1993). Unfortunately, most of the world's marine resources are found in developing countries. As marine resources dwindle, it is absolutely essential to human survival that a significant combination of international policies, educational programs and activities are necessary for the maintenance of marine resources.
Eutrophication and pollutants, overfishing, mariculture, loss of habitat, increasing sedimentation, red tide, and radioactive pollution are all major anthropogenic influences of industrialized countries (Epstein, 1996). Although the character of marine pollution in developing countries may differ in nature as compared to the more industrialized countries, many marine pollution problems are common to both developed and underdeveloped countries. For example, the taking of more than 90 million tons of fish per year by the fishing industry exceeds any other anthropogenic effect of humans on the marine environment (Parsons, 1992). In addition, a Greenpeace Report in 1997, claimed over 70% of global fish stocks were considered heavily, fully or over-exploited.
Many of the above marine issues were discussed with fourteen researchers/educators who work in Tokyo, Yokosuka, Otsuchi, or the Hakodate area. A marine environmental questionnaire was distributed. It addressed marine issues that have impacts on human health. The issues included sewage pollution, non-biodegradable pollution (plastics, glass, styrofoam), sediment problems, radioactive substances, oil pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, use of marine plants and animals as pharmaceutical agents, and other problems like red tide, aquaculture, organochlorides, heavy metals, etc.
Some of the researchers/educators indicated that ranking the issues was difficult and three researchers indicated some of the marine issues were not mutually exclusive. For example, sewage pollution, non-biodegradable pollution and sediment pollution are known to be directly linked. Two researchers from Hokkaido University and one from the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) stated there were no marine derived health problems influencing humans in their areas.
Three major marine issues with the highest scores were tallied and divided in two groups: the Tokyo/Yokosuka area and the Hakodate/Otsuchi area. Although the respondents selected almost the same marine issues, the issues were placed in a different order. The Tokyo/Yokosuka group listed sewage pollution as the most serious problem followed by habitat destruction and non-biodegradable pollution. Whereas, the Hakodate/Otsuchi group indicated non-biodegradable pollution as the most serious problem followed by sewage pollution and oil pollution.
An interesting finding indicated that overfishing ranked lower than expected and was not considered one of the three major areas of concern. Also, very little attention was given to the issues of aquaculture and the harvesting of marine pharmaceutical plants and animals. Nevertheless, U.S. pharmaceutical companiess have not been the only ones researching natural products from the oceans but so have countries like Japan and New Zealand (New Scientist, l994).
Although many believe the solutions to environmental problems lie in science and technology, the National Consortium for Environmental Education and Training in the United States has included a human component in the exploration of environmental problems and solutions. Environmental solutions are not only scientific but include a multidisciplinary approach. Additionally, parameters in education, public health, history, politics, economics, and culture all lay in the groundwork for analyzing, resolving and preventing environmental marine problems. It is not only important to understand the human influence on marine biota but what impacts our dwindling marine resources have on the world's health.
The need to reform the educational curriculum in Japan has been recognized and education officials are in the process of reforming the curriculum. A major instrument in providing a lifelong understanding between the interrelationships between humans and their marine environment would be to integrate marine education in the school curriculum. Teachers need to be informed about new ocean discoveries. Scientists and new technologies need to be brought into the classroom in order to motivate and foster better learning. Simultaneously, the external environment needs to be safe and non-threatening.
The results of this report have a twofold purpose: the first is to integrate collected data into my dissertation which is entitled, "Development of an Environmental Marine Training Program Focusing on Human Health for the Docents of Smithsonian's Tropical Institute" and, secondly, I would like to submit my findings for publication in a marine education journal.
Acknowledgements
I would first like to thank the National Science Foundation and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture (Monbusho) for all my positive experiences during my two month stay in Japan. These experiences would have never been possible without the help of many individuals and institutions. I would especially like to acknowledge my research advisor, Dr. Terasaki Makoto from the Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo for his endless efforts to guide and introduce me to as many marine researchers and/or environmental educators as possible. Lastly, I would like to thank Otsuchi Marine Research Center, Hokkaido University, the Faculty of Fisheries at Hokkaido University, JAMSTEC, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Yokohama National University and the University of Tokyo for allowing me to visit their institutions and also for giving me the opportunity to interview leading marine researchers and/or educators. These meetings allowed me to gain a global perspective on leading marine issues and also encouraged me to believe that in the future both scientists and educators will work together to solve major marine issues which have an impact on our societies.
References
Epstein, P.R. (1996). Emergent stressors and Public Health implications in large marine ecosystems: An Overview. The Northeast Shelf Ecosystem Assessment, Sustainability, and Management, 417-440. Cambridge, Mass.: Blackwell Science.New Scientist. (1994). Musseling in on arthritis. 142 (1923), 11.
Parsons, T.R. (1992). The removal of marine predators by fisheries and the impact of trophic structure. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 25 (1-4, 51-53.
Sherman, K. (1994). Coastal ecosystem health: A global perspective. Annals New York Academy of Sciences, 740, 24-42.
Sigurdson, J. (1995). Science and Technology in Japan. Britain: Cartermill International Limited.
Yap, H.T. (1992). Marine environmental problems: Experiences of developing regions. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 25 (l-4), 37-40.