Survey on coral species and its coverage

Researches
Due to red soil pollution, overuse, typhoon disasters, etc., the conditions of the Shiraho coral lagoon is gradually degraded in these days, and the WWF Coral Reef Centre has been conducting surveys on various wildlife in Shiraho area, e.g., corals, fishes, zoobenthos, sea turtles, sea grasses and algae. We are also monitoring red soil runoff and water quality in a regular basis. Red soil is minute reddish soil particles running off from the fields during the heavy rain and it influences destructively to the corals. Data from these surveys are important to assess the state of the lagoon in detail and to determine appropriate conservation actions.

Instructing local people about Shiraho coral lagoon

Environmental Education
The WWF Coral Reef Centre aims to raise local people’s awareness of responsibilities on their own region, by enhancing their understandings and care for natural environment through lectures, panel exhibitions and outdoor experiences. We are supporting activities initiated by the local people, making good use of the outputs from the various surveys.　

Communications
Since ancient times, the Shiraho villagers have been living on the blessings from the coral reef, adopting the sustainable manners. By studying such wisdom from the traditional culture like fishing gears or traditional seafood recipes, etc., we will be able to learn how to sustain human-ocean relationships in the coming generations. The WWF Coral Reef Centre conducts ethno-anthropological surveys with local community, in order to contribute to the sustainable development and the conservation of the region.　　We also participate in various local activities apart from the Coral Reef Centre’s own educational or awareness related activities. Those are, for example, Harie (or Hare) Festival by the fishermen in May or Harvest Festival by the farmers in August, in addition to the events organized by the schools or by the community.

Organize Shiraho lagoon observation lessons for local people

To create sustainable community
The WWF Coral Reef Centre’s essential role is to improve technical skills of the Shiraho villagers through activities related to the sustainable community management, for example, conservation practices for the lagoon, or organizing community-based councils for setting up the sustainable resource management framework.
The WWF Coral Reef Centre is also encouraging the sustainable development in the Shiraho region, by providing events such as traditional cooking lessons or holding a local market in regular basis, aiming to make it a venue for the local people to gather daily and meet with visitors.
While having those practices, the community is reviewing the traditional human-ocean relationships, rarely seen today. Such relationships were, however, giving baselines for the Shiraho people’s identity toward the community, and an important frame for its culture. We need to respect those cultural or spiritual experiences by the local people, since they will encourage the concept of sustainable development as well as the conservation of the Shiraho coral lagoon.