A Travelling Aquarium for People to Learn More about the Sea Around the Oki Islands

During 2023, a travelling aquarium visited three locations in order to provide people with a learning opportunity that deepens their knowledge of the sea around the Oki Islands.  

We will report the days of the events along with a series of pictures. 

Floating Aquarium in Ama Town

June 9-10, 2023

The event was held in Entô Geo Lounge. 

On exhibit were marine creatures such as comb jellies, which are often seen in the Oki Islands from spring to early summer. 

Many participants remarked that “they’re pretty” or “it was my first time seeing one” upon seeing the comb jellies. 

Marine debris is a serious issue in the Oki Islands. For that reason, creatures as well as marine debris were both included in the exhibits. This picture shows a discarded fishing line and lure. 

Floating Aquarium in Okinoshima Town

September 29-30, 2023

The second round of the aquarium was held at the Oki Islands Geopark Museum in Okinoshima Town. 

Seasonal migratory fish that can be seen in the Oki Islands around early summer to winter (five species including the neon damselfish, or Pomacentrus coelestis) were exhibited. 

Other than creatures, items such as marine debris (pictured: plastic bottle) were put on display like they had been at Ama Town exhibition. 

An exhibit introducing marine animals that were harmed by marine debris in the Oki Islands (such as a dolphin and sea turtle) was also on display. 

Other than that, a hands-on “Picture Drawing Aquarium” was also organized. Pictures of underwater creatures drawn by children were programmed to appear and move on the projection mapping in the Oki Islands Geopark Museum. 

Event staff were assisted by Oki High School students in setting up the exhibits. 

There were approximately 100 visitors during the event, with 22 participants in the Picture Drawing Aquarium. We would like to thank the large number of people who participated. 

Poems of Ama, Touch on the Seasons. The World of Seasonal Migratory Fish and Waka, Tanka, and Haiku Poetry.

October 28-29, 2023

The final round of the travelling aquarium was held in Ama Town during the fall. 

In the five fish tanks, approximately 100 total specimens of five different marine species were exhibited. 

The exhibit primarily displayed seasonal migratory fish that made their way to the Oki Islands, including an unusual-looking longfin batfish (Platax teira). 

Other than fish, exhibits such as that of the spotted jelly (Mastigias papua), which can be seen here from summer to fall, also were on display.

Preparations up to Opening Day 

Takumi Nishida, a member of AMU Work, Ama Town, was in charge of planning and organizing the exhibition. (Conducted specimen collection, animal caretaking, tank exhibit creation, etc. as well as other roles such as providing commentary during the event.) 

And that was the event! The geopark will continue to hold temporary exhibits so that people can further deepen their understanding of the sea around the Oki Islands. We look forward to your continued support.