August 1, 2025

Featured in Gakken Manga!

Ainan Town's "Umigyo" (Marine-Based Community Development) and the Efforts of SEFREC

Ainan Town’s innovative “Umigyo” initiatives have been featured in the popular children’s comic series Gakken Manga: Himitsu Bunko. The book presents engaging stories about how local marine resources are used to support community development, including efforts in sea urchin and pearl aquaculture.

The manga also highlights the work of the South Ehime Fisheries Research Center (SEFREC), showcasing our contributions to aquaculture technology, environmental conservation, and educational outreach in collaboration with the local community.

Notably, SEFREC alumni Mr. Yosuke Shimizu and Mr. Keita Kaya also appear in the story.

This book is a fun and educational way for children—the next generation—to learn about how people and the sea coexist in coastal communities. We encourage you to take a look!

Gakken Manga – Ainan Town’s Ongoing Challenge as a Leader in “Umigyo”
(Available in both Japanese and English)

Created by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation

July 16, 2005

Visit by Students from Uwajima Minami Secondary School and Uwajima Fisheries High School

— Learning and Dialogue for Future Fisheries Research —

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a group of 20 students from Uwajima Minami Secondary School (5th-year students) and Uwajima Fisheries High School (1st to 3rd-year students), along with four accompanying teachers, visited the South Ehime Fisheries Research Center (SEFREC) as part of their fisheries research program.

In the first part of the visit, the students toured the research facilities in small groups, guided by university students. This hands-on experience provided them with a closer look at the frontlines of fisheries research.

Following the tour, Dr. Goto of SEFREC gave a lecture titled “How to Approach Research Projects.” He introduced key perspectives for selecting a research topic, such as:

• Is the topic genuinely interesting to you?

• Is it realistically achievable?

• Is there potential for new discoveries?

• Can you receive support from others?

The lecture also encouraged students to categorize their work as survey research, observational studies, or literature-based (review) research, in order to plan their projects more effectively.

In the second half of the program, the students split into five groups based on their research topics. Each group was joined by one SEFREC faculty member and one or two university students for a round of discussions. Some groups had already formulated their research plans, while others were still exploring ideas. Regardless of the stage, the students were highly engaged and actively shared their thoughts.

This visit provided a valuable opportunity for the students to deepen their understanding of research methodology and gain new insights for their future activities. SEFREC remains committed to supporting the development of the next generation of fisheries professionals through collaboration with local educational institutions.

SEFREC Hosts JICA Group for Technical Training and Site Visit

On July 15, 2025, the South Ehime Fisheries Research Center (SEFREC) welcomed nine government officials from Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Mauritania, Morocco, Nauru, Senegal, and Timor-Leste as part of the 2025 JICA Thematic Training Program titled “Development and Sustainable Use of Local Fisheries Industries”, organized by the Center for Regional Sustainability and Innovation at Kochi University.

In the morning session, the participants received an overview of SEFREC and attended lectures on advanced research initiatives, including full-cycle aquaculture techniques for suma (kawakawa). They then toured the Nishiura Station to observe the facilities firsthand.

August 23, 2021

Himesuma's PR video has been released.

Associate Professor Goto of our institute appears in this video. Please check it out below.