Sea Turtle Ecotourism
Participate in the protection of sea turtles and beaches.
The number of tourists visiting Nagata Beach and Kurio Beach to observe sea turtles has increased in recent years, and there are concerns about the growing impact of flash photography, and the effects of uncontrolled access to beaches on spawning and hatching.
In response, the local voluntary Nagata Beach Sea Turtle Observation Rules were established in 2009 to promote the protection of sea turtles and proper use of Nagata Beach. The Kurio Beach Sea Turtle Protection and Observation Rules were established in 2015. The number of sea turtles landing and spawning at Kurio Beach is second only to that of Nagata Beach. These rules summarize the rules and etiquette for observation during the spawning and hatching periods of sea turtles, however they are local and voluntary and therefore not enforceable. The number of sea turtles spawning is trending downward, and it is necessary to adopt thorough rules to reduce the negative impact of humans on spawning and hatching.
The Sea Turtle Conservation Committee within the Yakushima Town Ecotourism Promotion Council was therefore established in 2019 to investigate measures for the protection and proper utilization for tourism of sea turtles throughout Yakushima Island based on the Ecotourism Promotion Act.
State of use
- More than 10,000 visitors visited Nagata Beach at night in 2009 to observe sea turtles. This number represents an almost fourfold increase from 1993, when Yakushima Island was registered as a World Heritage site.
- The Nagata Sea Turtle Liaison Council conducts observation parties and other events to protect the sea turtles.
- NPO Yakushima Umigame-kan (Sea Turtle Museum) conducts research activities to ascertain the number of sea turtles coming ashore to spawn, and the percentage of baby sea turtles that hatch and free themselves from the sand.
Recent efforts
- 2008: Local and voluntary Nagata Beach Sea Turtle Observation Rules established to protect sea turtles and control proper use of Nagata Beach.
- 2019: Nagata Beach Sea Turtle Preservation Council established in December to investigate observation rules and points related to protecting sea turtles and preserving the environment for spawning and hatching.
- 2015: Yakushima Town formulates Kurio Beach Sea Turtle Protection and Observation Rules as local and voluntary rules to protect sea turtles on Kurio Beach.
- 2019: Sea Turtle Conservation Committee Yakushima Town Ecotourism Promotion Council established to examine measures for protection and proper tourism use of sea turtles throughout Yakushima Island based on Ecotourism Promotion Act.
Main changes and problems in use
Natural Environment
- There are concerns about the negative impact of the large numbers of visitors observe sea turtles at Nagata and Kurio Beaches on spawning of turtles coming ashore at night, and on the hatching of baby turtles.
- There has been a downward trend in the number of sea turtles coming ashore and spawning.
