JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We interviewed Ms. Junko Bannai, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who experienced dolphin watching in Amakusa City.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Located in the southwestern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, Amakusa is an archipelago of more than 120 islands of various sizes surrounded by blue sea, and is connected to the Kyushu mainland by five bridges called Amakusa Gobashi. Amakusa Airlines, the smallest airline in Japan, is famous for its cute dolphins, which can be reached from Aso Kumamoto Airport in about 20 minutes and from Fukuoka Airport in about 40 minutes!
–How are you involved in this effort?
The flight to Amakusa Airport flies at a low altitude of about 1,200 meters, so on a clear day, Unzen and the five bridges of Amakusa can be clearly seen from the aircraft window. Amakusa is a world-class place where wild dolphins have settled, and Amakusa Airline’s aircraft is decorated with a dolphin motif.
Mr. Takasaki, a dolphin researcher from the Amakusa Fishery Cooperative Association, who served as our dolphin-watching guide this time, says that he has been fascinated by dolphins and visited various dolphin spots in Japan and overseas, and that Amakusa is a “sacred place for dolphins” where wild dolphins live so close to our home world. Mr. Takasaki is able to identify almost all of the nearly 150 dolphins by the differences in the shape of their dorsal fins. He told us how precious Amakusa’s dolphins are.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
The Amakusa Sea, where the dolphins live, faces the Hayasaki Seto, the entrance and exit of the Ariake Sea, and as its name suggests, is blessed with diverse seafood and seaweed resources due to the fast ocean currents and complex shape of the sea bottom. This rich environment has served as a cradle for wild dolphins. However, the dolphins may disappear from Amakusa tomorrow if their food supply decreases or they find it difficult to live.
Amakusa City and everyone involved in the dolphin-watching project are working to promote dolphin-watching in consideration of people and the environment, valuing the hospitality that is typical of Amakusa so that the Amakusa Sea will continue to be a paradise for dolphins.
In order to make this environment where humans and dolphins coexist in harmony sustainable, an environmental protection fee (500 yen per person over elementary school age) will be introduced in the fee for dolphin watching from this July.
Through this, all dolphin-watching participants will raise environmental awareness together, share responsible behavior, and work together with the local community to create a better tourist destination.
The environmental protection funds will be used for seaweed bed enhancement projects to improve the marine environment, beach cleanups, and information dissemination about our efforts.
As JAL’s hometown ambassadors who value relationships and connections through transportation, we hope that sharing the efforts of Amakusa City and dolphin-watching operators and the charm of the region with many people will be an opportunity for everyone to travel.
Amakusa is a town where people and visitors create a happy future together as the one and only sea where people and dolphins coexist. Almost 100% of the time in spring and summer (or so we are told!) You can see friendly dolphins swimming around the boat.
In addition, dolphins will be in the birthing season through the summer. You may see cute little dolphins that have just learned to swim.
–What is your message to travelers?
In the Amakusa-Gowa area, dolphins have been able to live in peace thanks to the fact that barewater fishing has been popular for a long time and fixed nets were not used, and dolphin-friendly fishermen have made the area a safe habitat. It is also said that the presence of dolphins in groups along the coast makes it difficult for sharks to come close to the barewater fishing grounds. In this way, people and dolphins have coexisted in the waters of the Gowa area for a long time.
From now on, sea urchins will be caught by bare bottom fishing (the ban on purple sea urchin fishing will be lifted in early March). In addition to Amakusa’s exquisite sea urchins, which are said to turn even “sea urchin haters” into “sea urchin lovers,” natural tiger prawns are available in summer, and lobsters are available from fall to winter.
Please come and taste the bounty of Amakusa.
At Hotel Alegria Gardens Amakusa, you can enjoy a relaxing stay in Amakusa, surrounded by the sea 270 degrees. The gourmet plan featuring seafood from Amakusa is very popular, with 80% of guests choosing this course.
In addition, if guests request dolphin watching, please guide them to the Dolphin Center.
There is also a one-day tour from Fukuoka Airport on Amakusa Airline, introduced earlier, to the Amakusa Municipal Goshoura Dinosaur Island Museum, which has just reopened after renovation in March 2024.
This is the season when Amakusa will become even more energetic. Please come and visit us!
© Source travel watch
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