Sea Turtle Association of Japan, Kuroshima Research Station
Encyclopedia
Kuroshima Research Station started in 1973, under the name of the UnderwaterPark Foundation, Yaeyama Underwater Park Research Institute, for the purpose of managing and utilizing the underwater area in Sekisei(Jap. 石西) lagoon
between Ishigaki
(Jap. 石垣) Island and Iriomote
(Jap. 西表) Island including Kuroshima
(Jap. 黒島) Island. From the beginning, it worked as an unparalleled ocean research station, and existed until 2002 under the financial support of Nagoya Railroad Business Operations Co. Ltd.
At present Kuroshima Research Station belongs to the NPO Sea Turtle Association of Japan. Its activities worthy of mention are its 30 years’research into the nesting of sea turtles, especially confirmation of the nesting of the hawksbill turtle
for the first time in Japan
, in addition to confirming the nesting of green sea turtle
s. Their research regarding acanthasters and corals deserves special mention. In 2005, they sponsored the Japanese Sea Turtle Conference, which is held every year at the location of sea turtles nesting rookeries in Japan.
Location: 136 Kuroshima, Taketomi
-cho, Yaeyama
-gun, Okinawa, Japan 907-1311 (phone/fax: +81-980-85-4341)
are displayed with explanations of the marine life in the coral reef
. There is a library area where students and other visitors can study using illustrated books and materials.
, are reared and exhibited so that visitors can see the fauna of Kuroshima Island.
is available. Tours include underwater observation of coral and tropical fish
and explanations about marine life.
as it is the nesting spot for the sea turtles.
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
between Ishigaki
Ishigaki
*Ishigaki Island*Ishigaki, Okinawa*Ishigaki Airport*Japanese escort Ishigaki*Ai Ishigaki , guitarist for The Mad Capsule Markets*Ishigaki Rin...
(Jap. 石垣) Island and Iriomote
Iriomote
Iriomote is the largest of the Yaeyama Islands and the second largest in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island itself....
(Jap. 西表) Island including Kuroshima
Kuroshima
Kuroshima or Kuro Island may refer to various Japanese islands:*Kuroshima, Ehime *Kuroshima, Kagoshima, part of Mishima village*Kuroshima, Shimane*Kuroshima, Okayama*Kuroshima, Tokashiki, Okinawa, in Tokashiki...
(Jap. 黒島) Island. From the beginning, it worked as an unparalleled ocean research station, and existed until 2002 under the financial support of Nagoya Railroad Business Operations Co. Ltd.
At present Kuroshima Research Station belongs to the NPO Sea Turtle Association of Japan. Its activities worthy of mention are its 30 years’research into the nesting of sea turtles, especially confirmation of the nesting of the hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in its genus. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. imbricata imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, while E...
for the first time in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in addition to confirming the nesting of green sea turtle
Green Sea Turtle
The Green sea turtle or green turtle is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
s. Their research regarding acanthasters and corals deserves special mention. In 2005, they sponsored the Japanese Sea Turtle Conference, which is held every year at the location of sea turtles nesting rookeries in Japan.
Location: 136 Kuroshima, Taketomi
Taketomi
Taketomi is an island in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Located a ten-minute boat ride away from Ishigaki island, this island has a village in the center, also named Taketomi. Taketomi has a population of approximately 361 and an area of 6.32 km²...
-cho, Yaeyama
Yaeyama
Yaeyama may refer to:* Yaeyama Islands, an archipelago in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan* Yaeyama District, Okinawa, an administrative division covering most of the Yaeyama Islands* Yaeyama language, a language spoken in the Yaeyama Islands...
-gun, Okinawa, Japan 907-1311 (phone/fax: +81-980-85-4341)
Collection Exhibit Room
Specimens of corals, sea turtles, and sea shellsSea Shells
Sea Shells is a 1957 album by Peggy Lee, recorded in early 1955.The album was possibly thought by her record company to be too esoteric, hence its later release. It was her last recording for Decca Records. The album is considered one of Miss Lee's more personal records, featuring a mix of love...
are displayed with explanations of the marine life in the coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
. There is a library area where students and other visitors can study using illustrated books and materials.
Organism Rearing Room
These temporally accommodate sea turtles which are to be released with markers and transmitters. Young sea turtles hatched at the facility are also open to public viewing. Visitors can see the three kinds of sea turtles up close, including the new-born sea turtles after July. Besides marine life, the living organism of Kuroshima Island, such as the Sakishima(Jap. 先島) pit viper and coconut crabCoconut crab
The coconut crab, Birgus latro, is a species of terrestrial hermit crab, also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, and is probably at the upper size limit of terrestrial animals with exoskeletons in today's atmosphere at a weight of up to...
, are reared and exhibited so that visitors can see the fauna of Kuroshima Island.
Conference room
Slide projector, OHP, and blackout curtains are available. Usable for small meetings, overnight training, and seminars.Marine guides
Underwater excursion assisted by researchers from the station. Training in snorkelingSnorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
is available. Tours include underwater observation of coral and tropical fish
Tropical fish
Tropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both freshwater and salt water species.Tropical fish are popular as aquarium fish, due to their often bright coloration...
and explanations about marine life.
Night guides
Nighttime observations and lectures hosted by researcher from the station. Recommended because of the presence of the poisonous Sakishima pit viper on the island, and as artificial light cannot be used on the Nishinohama strandas it is the nesting spot for the sea turtles.