Mass Production of Endangered Suizenjinori Algae Achieved in Kumamoto for Disaster Recovery
Researchers and local farmers in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, have successfully achieved the mass production of Suizenjinori, an endangered species of algae. This breakthrough aims to support the economic recovery of the region following the devastating 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Suizenjinori, designated a national natural monument in 1924, had faced severe decline due to eutrophication and reduced water flow, leading to its classification as an endangered species in 1997. Professor Emeritus Minoru Fukusaki of Tokai University initiated the project to identify specialty products that could aid village revitalization. By utilizing clean water from disaster-stricken areas, the team overcame cultivation challenges through extensive trial and error. The harvested algae is intended for commercialization as a local specialty and as an ingredient for high-end cosmetics. This initiative not only contributes to the conservation of a rare biological resource but also provides a sustainable economic avenue for the recovering community. The success marks a significant step in merging environmental preservation with post-disaster regional development efforts in Japan.
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Mass Production of Endangered Suizenjinori Algae Achieved in Kumamoto for Disaster Recovery
Researchers and local farmers in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, have successfully achieved the mass production of Suizenjinori, an endangered species of algae. This breakthrough aims to support the economic recovery of the region following the devastating 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Suizenjinori, designated a national natural monument in 1924, had faced severe decline due to eutrophication and reduced water flow, leading to its classification as an endangered species in 1997. Professor Emeritus Minoru Fukusaki of Tokai University initiated the project to identify specialty products that could aid village revitalization. By utilizing clean water from disaster-stricken areas, the team overcame cultivation challenges through extensive trial and error. The harvested algae is intended for commercialization as a local specialty and as an ingredient for high-end cosmetics. This initiative not only contributes to the conservation of a rare biological resource but also provides a sustainable economic avenue for the recovering community. The success marks a significant step in merging environmental preservation with post-disaster regional development efforts in Japan.
asahi