Kyoto, Japan – Many species of coastal marine organisms in Asia are feared to be endangered and close to extinction due to water pollution and unmanaged coastal development.

Loss of marine habitats in tidal flats, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are a significant threat to the marine environment.

The interruption of nature’s age old connections and interactions between land and sea are major causes of rising habitat losses.

Marine ecologists warn that time is running out to restore and reconnect the balance between land and sea coastal systems. It is crucial for society to recover and sustain high biodiversity in coastal marine ecosystems, according to marine scientists.

In order to stem the tide of deteriorating coastal conditions and discuss countermeasures, marine experts met in Kyoto on 14-15 January at the International Symposium on Integrated Coastal Management for Marine Biodiversity in Asia.

The symposium was organized by the Division of Integrated Coastal Management Field Science Education and Research Center of Kyoto University. The purpose was to bring together top marine scientists from around Asia to share information and better understand the adverse impact that society's irresponsible actions are having on biodiversity, coastal ecology and environment throughout the region.

Marine scientists discussed the scope and background of the coastal marine ecosystem, which is normally characterized by high biodiversity. One reason for high biodiversity has historically been a high natural inflow of nutrients and organic substances from land.

In addition, over many years the transport of sand from land creates diverse topographical features along a coast line, which transforms into complex hydro-ecology in the coastal area. This in turn supports high biodiversity.

There are some coastal habitats with characteristic fauna and flora, such as the tidal flat, seagrass bed, algal bed, coral reef, estuary, mangrove swamps and sandy shore. To maintain high biodiversity, complicated coexistence with these habitats is very important.

“We hope to contribute to the proper control of ecological risks in the developing nations of Asia. Throughout Asia, ecosystems are being destroyed, and ecosystem services are being significantly degraded, as a result of population growth and economic development,” said one of the Japanese experts at the symposium.

Participants agreed that Asian countries must develop an integrated management framework for land- and sea-based sources of marine pollution which includes:

The Nippon Foundation was a major supporter of this symposium, and works closely with all countries in the Asian region to protect the ocean environment.