Message from the director

Nagasaki, a land surrounded by the sea, has prospered alongside the abundant blessings of the ocean since ancient times. Within this environment, the Institute for East China Sea Research, part of the Organization for Marine Science and Technology at Nagasaki University, engages daily in diverse research and educational activities for the future of the ocean and humanity. Established in 2005 through the progressive reorganization of the Fisheries Laboratory attached to the Faculty of Fisheries, the Institute now serves as a crucial hub connecting fisheries science and engineering, expanding its activities in collaboration with numerous researchers from both within and outside the university.

The Institute comprises two main divisions: the Division of Environmental Conservation Science and the Division of Biological Resource Production Science. Each division tackles a broad range of themes, including the conservation of marine environments and the sustainable use of biological resources.

The East China Sea is an international maritime area utilized by four countries and regions—Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan—and it nurtures some of the world’s most prominent biodiversity. At the same time, it faces a complex entanglement of various environmental issues, including rising seawater temperatures due to global warming, eutrophication, microplastics, ocean acidification, and bottom-layer hypoxia. Changes in fish distribution following the stabilization of the Kuroshio current meander, alongside shifting fishing grounds driven by global warming, present new challenges to the local fishing industry.

In the face of these environmental changes, research is underway to evaluate blue carbon ecosystems, focusing on the carbon sequestration capabilities of seaweed and seagrass beds. This includes aiming for highly accurate quantification of the organic carbon generated through photosynthesis by seaweed, its outflow into seawater, and its storage in sediments. These initiatives, which simultaneously address marine ecosystem conservation and climate change mitigation, are drawing increasing international expectations.

Furthermore, for a maritime prefecture like Nagasaki, research utilizing marine energy—such as offshore wind and tidal currents—holds immense significance alongside the study of marine biological resources. In recent years, with the growing implementation of offshore wind power, research aimed at finding coexistence with the marine environment and the fishing industry has become increasingly important. We are advancing initiatives directed at harmony with fishing grounds, as well as conducting environmental impact assessments, such as monitoring fish behavior. In collaboration not only with the full-time faculty of our Organization but also with the Faculties of Fisheries, Environmental Science, and Engineering, we are taking on the challenge of developing novel fisheries and aquaculture technologies powered by renewable energy, thereby contributing to the creation of sustainable local industries.

Currently, in the field of biological resources, the full-cycle aquaculture of species such as yellowtail is attracting significant attention. To achieve a stable supply without relying on natural resources, multifaceted research spanning from reproductive physiology to applied technologies is underway, encompassing maturation control, the optimization of initial feed, and the maintenance of genetic diversity. Full-cycle aquaculture is a crucial technology for reducing dependence on natural resources and establishing a sustainable production system resilient to climate and resource fluctuations.

On the educational front, the Institute’s faculty members are actively engaged not only in graduate and undergraduate education but also in university-wide module and global courses. Since being certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a ‘Joint Usage / Education Center,’ we have provided laboratory and practical training opportunities where students from across the country can use the East China Sea as their learning stage. In addition, through the ‘Fisheries and Marine Science Practical Network’ – launched in collaboration with Hiroshima University, Kyoto University, and Hokkaido University – we are expanding diverse learning opportunities, including public marine practical courses, credit transfer systems, and mutual practical programs with overseas universities.

Furthermore, the Institute places a strong emphasis on collaboration with national research institutions and Nagasaki Prefecture. Together with the Fisheries Technology Institute of the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency and the Nagasaki Prefectural Institute of Fisheries, we operate the ‘Nagasaki Fisheries Research Three-Institution Liaison Council,’ promoting joint research and public outreach.

In 2020, Nagasaki University declared its commitment to realizing ‘Planetary Health,’ embarking on new challenges to address global issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, emerging infectious diseases, population dynamics, and food security. Taking full advantage of the rich field that is the East China Sea, we sincerely hope that young people from Japan and abroad—who love the ocean and its life, and who earnestly care about the global environment—will gather here to forge the future of new fisheries science together.

We hope that you will continue to understand and warmly support the educational and research activities of our Institute.