A joint survey of marine plastic waste by the training vessels of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Nagasaki University, and Kagoshima University and Kyushu University's Institute of Applied Mechanics has been praised as an initiative that established a unified survey method by applying the Fisheries Resources Survey Method. , received the Japan Fisheries Society Technology Award on March 30, 2023.
Award-winning research title
“Standardization of marine plastic litter survey and database development in Japan’s offshore waters”
As marine environmental pollution caused by plastic waste attracts worldwide attention, the award winners focused on research into the drifting of marine litter in the waters off Japan's coasts, which was previously unexplored, particularly the drifting of plastic litter including microplastics (MPs) onto the ocean floor. In order to determine the actual status and detailed distribution of the accumulation of CO2, we have established a joint survey system using large training vessels from four fisheries universities (University of Marine Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Nagasaki University, and Kagoshima University).
Furthermore, by applying methods for investigating marine resources, we developed marine debris investigation technology and established this as a unified investigation method. The findings were contributed to a global marine debris database and were recognized as opening up a new field in sustainable fisheries research.
In 2014, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology began surveying marine plastic debris in offshore areas and Kyushu University conducted MPs analysis, and in response to the Elmau Summit in 2015, Hokkaido University, Nagasaki University, and Kagoshima University expanded their research network. Universities also decided to participate in the survey, resulting in the establishment of a marine plastic litter survey network that covers a wide range of sea areas around Japan.
Our university's Oshoromaru is playing an active role in this initiative.
For more information, please click here. *Go to Hokkaido University’s website.
Training ship Oshoromaru