The Rise in Ecotourism and Marine Conservation of Green Sea Turtles in Okinawa.

Abstract

Ecotourism promotes sustainable tourism, varying from staying in lodging that uses indigenous environmental knowledge and practices of Balinese architecture to volunteering at lo’i patches in Hawai’i. My thesis explores the relationship between ecotourism and marine conservation, focused on how it can help alleviate anthropogenic threats and biodiversity loss. Using a holistic reformist approach such as Doughnut Economics, provides a visual framework for the social and environmental needs, without affecting the local economy. Focusing in on Okinawa, examined through Churamura, a non-profit Ocean Conservation Agency whose purpose is to protect sea turtle habitats in the village of Yomitan on the main island of Okinawa, the approach should help the reader understand how the islands cultural and historical heritage impacts their socio economics, politics, and education, combined with a lack of marine conservation policies and laws, affect their adoption to conserve green sea turtles. With a lack of research and data on the islands, as well as Covid-19 altering the dynamics of the world, looking at the local anthropogenic threats like the development of hotels, light, noise, and plastic pollution, fishermen/fisheries, warming temperatures, shows us how there is declining successful nesting rates and population of sea turtles, biodiversity loss, and more. Concluding with community-based solutions of what should be adopted in Okinawa, it is recommended that fieldwork is conducted.