Overcoming the Hardship of Large-Scale Coral Bleaching: Messages of Support Presented to the Production Area

Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) held the "Onna Village, Mozuku, Coral Support Message Presentation Ceremony" at the Onna Village Office in Okinawa Prefecture on Wednesday, March 25th. Heartfelt messages from Pal System users and staff in 1 metropolitan area and 12 prefectures, expressing their thoughts for the production area, were directly handed to the Mayor of Onna Village and the Head of Onna Village Fishery Cooperative.

Creating "Satoumi" by Eating Mozuku

Pal System, Onna Village (Mayor Yoshimi Nagahama), Onna Village Fishery Cooperative (Head Haruki Kinjo), and Igeta Takeuchi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture; Representative: Ryuichiro Takeuchi) established the "Onna Village Churaumi Direct Production Council" in 2009. For 17 years, they have continued "Satoumi creation" activities, aiming to "increase coral by eating mozuku."

Amidst these efforts, a large-scale coral bleaching phenomenon occurred in 2024. The carefully nurtured corals suffered significant damage, forcing a temporary halt to coral seedling cultivation activities. In response to this difficult situation, Pal System launched the "Onna Village Coral Forest Restoration Action." They called for support from users through study sessions explaining the current situation of the production area and product exhibitions, receiving numerous messages.

"Encouraged by Warm Voices," says Mayor Nagahama

At the presentation ceremony, Mr. Hideo Nozu, Managing Executive Officer of Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union, handed support flags filled with the thoughts of users and staff to Mayor Nagahama and Head Kinjo. Mr. Shu Takeuchi, Managing Director of Igeta Takeuchi Co., Ltd., also handed a flag to Department Head Mekaru. Mr. Nozu reflected on their 17-year journey of planting 17,300 coral seedlings together, stating, "Bleaching was a very sad event, but our bond will not be broken. We put the earnest wishes of our users into these 'support flags,'" vowing continued support.

In response, Mr. Yoshimi Nagahama, Mayor of Onna Village, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We were truly encouraged by the warm voices from our users, telling us 'Don't give up.' Your support gives strength to our fishermen. We will continue to protect this rich ocean as the 'Village of Coral.'"

Mr. Munekazu Mekaru, Department Head of the Onna Village Fishery Cooperative Coral Aquaculture Research Department, who continues to work with corals on site, touched upon the severity of the bleaching. Still, he stated, "Even under the dead corals, we found new small creatures living, which taught us that the role of coral continues in different forms. We will turn these messages into strength and work step by step towards the day when we can resume seedling cultivation."

A total of 10 support flags were presented.

Overcoming Hardship to Achieve Record-High Mozuku Catch

To conclude the ceremony, Mr. Hideki Nakamura, Counselor of Onna Village Fishery Cooperative, announced that the mozuku catch in Onna had surpassed the 2010 record, reaching an all-time high of 252 tons. Despite the challenge of coral hardship, the joy of environmental conservation activities bearing "rich fruit" filled the venue with loud applause and smiles.

Pal System will continue to promote exchanges between urban and fishing villages, aiming to protect and enrich the ocean, the source of the global environment and life.

【Outline of the Presentation Ceremony】

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 16:00-16:40

Location: Onna Village Office, Okinawa Prefecture

Main Attendees: Onna Village: Mayor Yoshimi Nagahama; Onna Village Fishery Cooperative: Head Haruki Kinjo, Munekazu Mekaru, Department Head of Coral Aquaculture Research Department; Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union: Hideo Nozu, Managing Executive Officer; Igeta Takeuchi Co., Ltd.: Shu Takeuchi, Managing Director

【Related Links】

・Pal System's Direct Production / Fostering Coral Forests to Protect Satoumi ・Let's Start a New Life and Society KOKOCARA

Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union

Location: Laquas Higashi-Shinjuku, 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa 13 member cooperatives・Total business volume of unified business system users: 260.42 billion JPY / Total number of members: 1.762 million (as of end of March 2025) Member cooperatives: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Kyosai Ren, Saitama Workers' Co-operative, Ai Co-op Miyagi HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/