Marine Comanagement Plan of Shiretoko World Heritage site

Shiretoko was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage site in 2005. It has an outstanding universal value as a connection between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, coastal fisheries are operated throughout the area, and it was required that the protection of the area was strengthened during the nomination process. World Heritage areas are protected by the national laws of each country and are not under international control. Japanese coastal fisheries are based on comanagement of fisheries cooperative associations (FCA) aiming at sustainable fisheries. The fishers expanded the seasonal fishing-ban areas of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and Shiretoko became a World Heritage Site. In this way, Shiretoko became a case of a new world heritage, where the protection of nature was not guaranteed by the government but rather the initiative of the local stakeholders to protect it. Unlike other chapters, this chapter does not include explanation of mathematical techniques for ecological risk management. We discuss the importance of comanagement and decision-making by the local stakeholders in ecological risk management.