Rare seahorse drawing visitors to MinamataーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Seahorses like this pair forming a heart-shaped are drawing many people to the city of Minamata to see the romantic image with their own eyes. Visitors can dive into the local waters once polluted by an industrial disaster. NHK World’s Morisha Erica went to see Minamata’s efforts to promote its thriving marine life. The waters of Minamata Kumamoto Prefecture are a treasure trove of fish. These divers drove six hours from Hiroshima to get a look at the local sea life. The himetatsu is a species of seahorse about 10 cm long. Lucky divers may get to watch himatu couples during breeding season. The city has made the seahorses a kind of mascot. They can be found in this rose garden and at this inn. They’re making quite a presence around town. Spring has returned and so too has this clean and rich environment here in Minamata City. But despite this beauty, some people feel there can still be prejudice at times. Minamata disease was officially recognized in 1956. It’s a chronic neurological disorder caused by eating fish contaminated by methyl mercury. The highly toxic chemical was drained into Minamata Bay by a nearby factory. Murisha Makoto leaves diving tours in Minamata. He thinks the Himetatu can serve as a symbol of the city’s restored marine environment. As a child, he witnessed the city’s efforts to revitalize the area, but it’s heard some people say they have a negative impression of the water. I was frustrated that not many people knew the sea here was safe again. I knew I had to dive in, see it with my own eyes, and let people know what’s down there. This day he starts his tours at the Minamati Senota. The only time it’s possible to enter at this point is at high tide. Divers can enter directly from the coast and get a great view in the clear water. It was beautiful. We saw sea slugs. I can see there were during breeding season. Fish need a lot of food. The fact that there’s so much marine life here means the environment is gradually being restored. Is working hard to spread awareness of Minamata’s recovery to the next generation. I hope young people will have a better image of Minamata when they see it has a wonderful seaweed forest and lots of delicious looking fish. He hopes children here will be proud of the city and its sea where they can swim with the himeatu. Misha Erica NHK World
The city of Minamata has been restoring its marine environment and image decades after a tragic industrial disaster. A rare seahorse is among the creatures attracting visitors to the city. #japan #kumamoto #tourism #nature #environment
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