Coastal Area 15208 Fukiagehama coast

Basic Information References

Reason(s) for selection Criteria

Characteristics References

These waters, centered on Fukiagehama beach, extend from the mouth of the Oura River through the Manose River to the vicinity of the Eguchi fishing port. At the mouth of the Oura River is a mangrove forest where Kandelia obovata grow. Geographically, this is a rare site for a mangrove forest (Ministry of the Environment, 2001). Fukiagehama is the largest sandy beach in Kyushu, with a total length of approximately 30 km. This gently shelving shallow coast remaining in its natural state is rich in creatures that typically live on sandy shores, such as Gomphina melanegis, Latona cuneata, Meretrix lamarckii, and armed crab (Kato, personal communication). From the north to the south side of this coast a gradation in habitats (of the sandy beach variety) can be seen, with corresponding biota having formed. Fukiagehama is known as a spot where numerous marine organisms appear, and among its other properties it is clear that the fry of numerous coastal fish use its water's edge as a nursery (Nakane et al., 2006; Otomi et al., 2005; Nonomura et al., 2007; Tomioka et al., 2012; Nakane et al., 2013). It also is an important loggerhead turtle breeding ground (Ministry of the Environment, 2001). 万之瀬川河口には、自然度の高い河口干潟が広がり、そこにハマグリが棲息していることは特筆すべき点であり (加藤、私信) 、フタハピンノや河口外側の干潟にはナミノコガイが多産する (環境省, 2001) 。River-mouth tidal mud flats in a highly natural state unfold at the mouth of the Manose River, and a common Orient clam habitat (Kato, personal communication) and home to many pea crabs and, Latona cuneata in the tidal mud flats on the outer side of the river mouth (Ministry of the Environment, 2001). In the vicinity of the river mouth relatively large numbers of species and populations of snipe and plover visit during spring and fall and winter here, and at least 0.25% of the minimum estimated population of Eurasian oystercatcher has been recorded here. Black-faced spoonbill also visit here (Ministry of the Environment, 2001).