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Iriomote Ishigaki NP, Okinawa
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Shiraho’s blue coral is blue right down to its skeleton. Its colony is among the Northern Hemisphere’s largest, spanning about 400 m north–south and 200 m east–west; more than 120 coral species have been recorded on the reef.
Shiraho farmers once built crescent-shaped coral-stone fish traps called inkachi. High tide covered them; at low tide, fish were left inside. In 2006, Shiraho Coral Village helped rebuild one with local schools.
Started in 2005 as a local-food revival, the Sunday market at Shiraho Coral Village brings together island seaweeds, fish, vegetables and handmade crafts. Since 2016, part of its sales has gone back to reef conservation.
The center’s story began with a 1979 plan to reclaim Shiraho’s reef for an airport. WWF opened its research hub here in 2000; in April 2021, the building was transferred to Shiraho’s community.
WWF and local volunteers sampled seabed at 32 Shiraho reef sites—later 27—4 times a year from 2000 to 2011. Their findings showed wind direction and strength, as well as rain, affect where farm soil settles.
From 2002, the center and Ishigaki turtle researchers searched Shiraho’s beaches almost weekly from April to September, GPS-mapping tracks and revisiting nests about 60 days later to identify turtle species and count hatchlings.
Shell ginger (getto) planted around Shiraho’s fields helps hold soil before it washes reefward. The plants also supplied material for a locally sold room deodorizer, linking runoff prevention with village livelihoods.
In Shiraho, reef materials became everyday infrastructure: coral stone built walls and house foundations, coral-fired plaster holds down red roof tiles, and ancient reef limestone filters rainwater into wells.
Shiraho’s traditional indumi (sea closure) and yamadomi (mountain closure) temporarily restricted gathering from the sea or hills—a customary way to use local natural resources sustainably.
