http://www.fao.org/giahs/en/ This presentation was presented during the Joint Meeting of Steering and Scientific Commitee that took place at FAO headquarters 14-15 December 2016. The presentation was made by Mr. Hajime Furuta, Governor of Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

1. Ayu
(Sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis)
The Nagara River
Cormorant Fishing Japanese Umbrellas
1
15 December 2015, Rome, Italy
Hajime FURUTA
Governor of Gifu Prefecture
(2015.12.10)
Joint Meeting of GIAHS Steering and Scientific Committee

2. ●
Gifu: Located in the “Heart of Japan”
• From peaks of 3,000m elevation to a river basin at sea level
• “The Land of Clear Waters”
Nagoya
Tokyo
Osaka
●
●
Gifu City●
●
●
●Gujo City
Mino City
Seki City
Toyama Bay
Ise Bay
●
The Nagara River
2

3. Sato-kawa
-“Sato-kawa” refers to a river system integrated
into rural settlements through wise use and proper
management of surrounding areas and forests.
-“Sato-kawa” is a vital link connecting mountains
of “Sato-yama” with sea of “Sato-umi”
Sato-yama
Sato-kawa
Sato : Human Settlement
Yama : Mountain
Kawa : River
Umi : Sea
Coastal Socio-ecological systems 3
Terrestrial Socio-ecological systems
Sato-umi

4. The Nagara River System (Satokawa)
Fisheries
Forestry
Ayu and
Water Culture
Pristine
Waters
Landscape
Diversity Agriculture
River
Conservation
4

5. Stakeholders
Research and
Educational Facilities
• Gifu Prefectural Ayu Hatchery
• Gifu Prefectural Research Institute for
Fisheries and Aquatic Environments
• Gifu Academy of Forest Science and
Culture
Participation
and
Collaboration
Citizens
• Clean-up Activity
• Conservation of Endangered Species
• Survey of the River Environment
Fisheries
Cooperatives
Successors
of Tradition
• Cormorant Fishing
• Traditional Crafts
(Japanese Paper, Japanese Umbrella etc.)
5
Agricultural
Cooperatives
Forestry
Cooperatives

6. Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes
Watershed of the Nagara River Thinning of Cedar
Nagara River's Tributary Cormorant Fishing Boat
Terraced Rice Paddies Rice Paddies along the Nagara River
6
Waterway Path in Gujo City
Mt. Kinka and the Nagara River
(Gifu City)
Mino Washi Merchant Street
Farmland
Forest
River
Townscapes

7. Biodiversity
7
Northern Goshawk
（Fowl）
Clouded Salamander
（Amphibian）
Biodiversity of the region has been
sustained by eco-friendly agriculture,
forestry and fisheries.
Japanese Serow
（Mammal）
Gifu Butterfly
(Insect)
Japanese Spatterdock
(Plant)
Unionid Mussels
(Shellfish)
Japanese Pond Turtle
(Reptile)
Dwarf Topmouth Minnow
(Fish)
Red List
Mammal: 3, Fowl: 26,
Reptile: 1, Amphibian: 5,
Fish: 24, Insect: 32,
Shellfish: 9,
Plant: 285
Forestry
Agriculture
Fisheries

8. Fisheries (1)
Diversity of Freshwater Species Suitable for Fisheries
8
Japanese Dace Delicate LoachPale Chub Japanese Sculpin
Ayu Red Spotted Masu Trout
（Catadromous form）
Red Spotted Masu Trout
（Landlocked form）
Whitespotted Char
Freshwater Goby Japanese CatfishJapanese Eel Japanese Mitten Crab

9. Tomozuri
(Live Decoy Fishing)
Yana Weir Fishing
(Fish Trap Made of Bamboo)
Nageamiryo
(Cast-net Fishing on a Boat)
Sebariamiryo
(Shoal-net Fishing)
Summer
Autumn
Spring
Fisheries (2)
Diversity of Traditional Fishing Techniques
9

10. Ayu (1)
- Unique to East Asia,
found only in pristine
waters
- Completing migration
between the river and the
sea in just one year
Ayu
(Sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis)
10
- A sustainable source of
protein in East Asia
(global importance of inland fisheries)

11. Swimming Upstream
Juvenile Drifting Downstream
Growing to Maturity
Ayu (2)
Winter
SummerSpring
Autumn
Spawning on the River Bed 11
Life Cycle

12. Ayu Hatchery
Release of Juvenile Fish by Schoolchildren
Collecting Eggs Only from Wild Ayu
Ayu (3)
Preservation of Indigenous Gene Pool in the Hatchery
12

13. 72
74
76
78
80
82
84
0 20 40 60 80 100
Greatest Yield in Japan
Wild Catch : 216t
Aquaculture: 871t
+
Ayu Ready to Be Shipped to the Market
in 2012
Ayu
The Pie Chart of Fish Catch in Gifu Pref.
Others
in 2012
Ayu (4)
13
Annual Fish Consumption per Capita
and Average Life Span in the World
Annual Fish Consumption
(Age)
(Kg/Person/Year)
Japan
Eating Fish for Good Health
70%
Exquisite Taste,
Fragrance and Freshness

14. •Irrigation since 350 years ago
•The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) registered the
historical Sodai Irrigation Canal as a Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2015.
Agriculture
The Sodai Irrigation Canal The Shogahora Terraced Rice Paddies
• Various crops such as rice,
vegetables and fruits across
15,000 hectares are nurtured
by the abundant waters of the
Nagara River.
Persimmons Green Soy Beans
14
Hatsushimo Rice

15. Forest Management
Fish Breeding Forest
Strategic Replanting
and Thinning
Forestry
Fish Breeding Forest
(4.5 hectares of forests along the Nagara River)
・Providing a conducive habitat sustains
biodiversity and healthy growth of fish
populations.
15

16. The National Convention for the Development of an
Abundantly Productive Sea in 2010
(Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress)
Nurturing Forests, Rivers and Seas
The National Tree Planting Ceremony in 2006
(His Majesty the Emperor)
16
The National Tree-Care Festival in 2015
(His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince)

17. Ayu and Water Culture (1)
Boats for Cormorant FishingA Cormorant
Fisherman
Cormorant
Fishing
• Is practiced in two places (Gifu and Seki cities)
• Techniques remain essentially unchanged since
1300 years ago
• Cormorant fishermen are appointed as members of
the Board of Ceremonies by the Imperial Household
Agency
Baskets for Keeping Cormorants
17

18. Ayu Sushi Ayu-shaped Sweets
Ayu and Water Culture (2)
Grilled Ayu with Salt
Local Food
• Ayu has inspired local food cultures such as
special ways of cooking and presentation.
• Ayu is fermented for sushi and preserved foods.
• Various sweets are designed in the shape of Ayu
18

19. Ayu and Water Culture (3)
Hon-minoshi (Traditional Paper)
(UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014)
Gifu Wagasa
(Umbrella made of Mino Washi)
Traditional
Crafts
Gujo Honzome Dyeing
(Washing to give fabrics a vivid hue)
19

20. Land and Water Conservation
Mizubune
(Traditional Multi-level Water Separation Tanks)
Tree-planting
by Fisheries Cooperatives
Wisdom of Water
Conservation
20
River-cleaning Campaign

21. Threats of the Nagara River System
Number of
fishermen
Invasive Alien Species
Decline of Engaging
Professionals
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
30000
50000
70000
1972 1982 1992 2002 2012
in Gifu Pref.
Coypu (Myocastor coypus)
21
(Total)
(Year)

22. Future Action Plans (1)
22
A. Promoting the “Nagara River Brand” (foods, arts & crafts, tourism)
B. Five-year Strategy
1. Export promotion of Ayu and other products with “washoku” appeal of Japanese cuisine
2. Training & supporting new farmers
3. Optimal forest management for high quality timbers production and
fish breeding forests
C. Hatchery enhancement to increase Ayu stock by artificial spawning
and release programs
A. Fish migration path improvement
B. Conservation of Endangered Species
・R&D on breeding technology
・Eradication of invasive species
・Reduction of chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides
Ⅰ. Promotion of Sustainable Fisheries, Agriculture and Forestry
Ⅱ. Enhancing Eco-Systems and Biodiversity
Fish Migration Path

23. A. Hosting GIAHS International Forum
B. Supporting developing nations
・Training Center for traditional inland fishing
・Dispatching experts
Future Action Plans (2)
23
A. “Nagaragawa Ayu Park”
1. Traditional Ayu fishing techniques and ayu cuisine
2. Teaching the young generation about
“the Nagara River System”
B. Hatchery enhancement
C. “GIAHS Ayu Day” (tentative)
“Nagaragawa Ayu Park”
(Concept Image)
Ⅲ. Knowledge, Technology & Culture
Ⅳ. Designs for Satokawa Landscapes
Ⅴ. Disseminating to the Global Counterparts
A. Supporting of local communities and NGOs in cleaning rivers
and conservation of terraced paddy fields
B. Creating public spaces with access to the rivers & waterfronts
C. Expanding “Fish Breeding Forest”

24. The Gifu Prefectural Charter : “The Land of Clear Waters”
Awareness:
We will study and learn about the rich natural environment,
history, tradition, culture and art of craftsmanship with which
the clear waters have provided us.
Creation:
We will strive to improve and utilize our local treasures in
new creations with more appeal.
Heritage:
We will endeavor to pass on the blessings of pristine
waters to future generations.
January 31, 2014
Prefectural Committee for the Land of Clear Waters 24

25. Thank you! 25