23-1 JOCV

Takatoshi AKAI

K.W.S. Malindi Marine National Park

What is drift ice?• Hokkaido in Japan is one of the

southernmost area in the world.• In winter, people in Shiretoko realize

winter when they see drift ice. • Drift ice can only see in Shiretoko, due to

its environment, such as sea surrounded by land and channel is shallow.

Where are they come from?• Pure water will be iced under 0 .℃• Sea water will be iced under -1.8 .℃• Temperature of sea water depends on depth.• Sea water moves by current.• Therefore, sea water is difficult to be ice even -1.8 .℃

•However, in the case of Ohotsuku;Pure water from Amur river into Ohotsuku.Before pure water and sea water mix, the water refrigerated by north wind and iced from surface.This is how to drift ice created.

Problem: Global Warming

• The drift ice in Ohotsuku is getting smaller by year.• Due to global warming ice from Amur river is thin, so

when the drift ice reached to Shiretoko, its only a few.

• “Drift Ice” brings nutrient and oxygen with cool water.

• When the “Drift Ice” reduced, the current movement caused by sea temperature also reduced.

• When the current movement reduced, sea creatures are difficult to eat and effect to eco system.

What will happen, if drift ice reduced?

Case Study: Sea Calf (Gomafu-azarashi)

• Sea calf usually breeding on the drift ice.

• However, reduced drift ice made them to move to the Japan Sea.

• People are pleased to see Sea Calf, but once the eco-system with drift ice destroyed, they will face to endangered.

• Date: 20 February

• Depart from “Shiretoko”.

• It takes about 30 minutes.

• Wear warm clothe.

• Get on “Shiretoko Maru”.

Shiretoko

Creatures in Ohotsuku• Drift ice brings water from the deep sea. It

contained oxygen and mineral to feed small creatures, such as Krill.

• Small fish and whales eat Krill.• Penguins and seals eat small fish. • White bears and eagles eat penguins and seals.

Mammals in Ohotsuku

Angels under the drift ice

• “Clione limacina”, we call it clione.• Categorized as a shellfish.• Approximately 1cm.• Looks like an angel, so their nick name is

“Angels under the drift ice”

Lunch Time: Viking

• Ohotsuku is famous for big crab named “Taraba Gani”.

• Grilled fish

•Scallop BBQ

Whale meat

Japanese in northern area used to eat whale meat.

Taste delicious, because the meat swimming in fat.

Kaisen-don:海鮮丼

Various kinds of fish with rice and soy source.

Drift ice walking

• We used to have walking tour on the drift ice, but due to global warming, we cannot enjoy drift ice walking these days.

Conclusion

• Drift ice contribute to maintain bio diversity

• However, due to global warming, we can not see drift ice these days

• We should concern about

stop global warming.

• And plz come to Shiretoko.