In Japan, various initiatives are aiming to address climate change and improve marine ecosystems by restoring seaweed colonies and harnessing blue carbon through the absorption and storage of carbon dioxide in aquatic plants like seaweed and seagrass. The focus is not just on combating climate change but also on enhancing fisheries resources and seawater quality through these environmental efforts.
One significant aspect of these initiatives includes the creation of a framework to trade blue carbon credits, where the CO2 absorbed by oceanic ecosystems is certified, issued credits, and can be bought and sold in a newly introduced system under the Japan Blue Economy (JBE) Association. These blue carbon credits are being used to support businesses that aim to offset their carbon footprints by investing in seaweed colony reconstruction projects that absorb CO2 and provide various benefits such as improved fishing grounds and water quality.
In collaboration with Nippon Steel Corp., fisheries cooperative associations like the one in Mashike, Hokkaido, have undertaken projects to restore seaweed populations by supplying iron to the sea for the growth of kelp. By utilizing industrial waste like iron slag in coastal areas, these initiatives have led to a significant increase in seaweed colonies, subsequently improving sea urchin catches and boosting incomes for local communities. Inspired by such success stories, similar measures have been replicated in over 50 locations nationwide, with the transplantation of eelgrass seedlings and the development of artificial tidal flats contributing to the reintroduction of species' colonies in different regions.
Although the evaluation of blue carbon's effects has not been standardized internationally, Japan is taking steps to measure its national blue carbon footprint through innovative techniques like estimating seaweed colonies nationwide using satellite images and calculating CO2 absorption rates for various aquatic plants. By presenting these details to the United Nations, Japan aims to lead the way in establishing global criteria for blue carbon and showcasing its commitment to utilizing seaweed farming as an effective strategy in reducing carbon footprints and contributing to a sustainable environment.