EMECS2001 November 19-22, 2001 in City of Kobe and Awaji Island, Japan
The
Executive Committee of the 5th International EMECS Conference
Bays,
inland seas, estuaries coastal seas with a high level of land enclosure because
of their natural abundance and scenic beauty, have always served as homes for
fishing, industrial activity, marine transport and recreation.
These areas
support the comfortable everyday existence of their coastal residents and have
nurtured a varied and unique range of culture.
Enclosed coastal sea regions
are however characterized by poor seawater flow, leaving them susceptible to environmental
pollution and thus requiring special consideration of their environmental conservation.
The International Conference on the Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal
Seas (EMECS Conference) was established with the obligation of ensuring the wonders
of the world's enclosed coastal seas, a collective human property, be preserved
for generations to come.
An international collection of researchers, government
and industry representatives, NGOs and private citizens met in 1990 in Kobe marking
the 1st EMECS Conference.
In the ensuing ten years, the Conference has been
staged internationally on a further three occasions and continues to contribute
to the overall success of the original goal.
Regardless of the efforts of
the Conference and its supporters, the majority of the world's enclosed coastal
sea regions are today facing a worsening habitat with declines in variety and
pure number of species and a reduction in the catch of fish. The continued degradation
of the enclosed coastal sea environment, it is feared, will have a dramatic effect
on the earth's environment as a whole.
In line with increased public awareness
of the environment, first steps have been made toward changing public thinking
on environmental protection. Centered on environmental pollution measures such
as water quality improvements and toxic waste management, and extending to the
conservation of variety of species, the restoration and maintenance of healthy
water circulation and the protection of opportunities to experience abundant nature,
a wide range of environmental conservation measures have been targeted.
With
recognition and awareness established, the 5th International Conference on the
Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas returns to Kobe to start the
21st century.
Examining the past activity of EMECS and the 20th century issues
left unresolved, international researchers, government and industry leaders, NGO's
and private citizens will exchange opinion on the following issues currently confronting
the world's enclosed coastal seas.
(1)Environmental
Restoration of Enclosed Coastal Seas
(2)Joint Participation of Scientists,
Government and Industry Leaders, Private Citizens and NGOs
(3)New Activities
Through the Use of Information Technology
(4)Governance of Land and Seas
(5)Environmental Education of the Future Leaders of the 21st Century - Our Children
Based on the formation of a new network, a partnership overcoming regional, age
and organizational boundaries and considering the geographical, natural and socioeconomic
factors associated with each of the world's enclosed coastal sea regions, we embark
on an environmental restoration and creation project - a united, widespread preservation
movement linking man and nature.
Toward this goal, the 5th EMECS Conference
represents "A New Starting Point" - an opportunity for defining distinct
policy for the new century toward the activation of the environmental preservation
of the world's enclosed coastal seas.