EMECS

The International EMECS Center is a public interest foundation working to conserve and promote the responsible use of enclosed coastal seas and their surrounding watersheds. Its focus includes areas such as Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, Chesapeake Bay, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean. The center connects government agencies, researchers, businesses, and citizens, fostering international and interdisciplinary exchange to support healthy marine environments and sustainable communities where people and nature can coexist.

Its activities include international conferences and seminars, research and information sharing, training, and support for environmental initiatives. The center also assists early-career researchers, develops learning opportunities for young people, and provides programs related to coastal environmental management and satoumi, the practice of building productive relationships between people and coastal ecosystems. Its services include consultation and support for satoumi initiatives, research assistance, and public outreach through publications, newsletters, and information resources. By bringing diverse stakeholders together and sharing knowledge across regions and disciplines, the International EMECS Center promotes practical approaches to conserving enclosed seas and achieving their appropriate, sustainable use.