JP144Shirakawa estuary

Site Description

Wetlands

Shirakawa is a river running through Kumamoto Prefecture. It originates in Aso caldera and finally reaches the western part of Kumamoto City, where it flows into the Ariake Sea. At its estuary we can see a tidal flat that extends more than 2 km outward. The tidal flat has an area of about 600 ha. It is also called "Shirakawa - Midorikawa tidal flat area,” since it forms a vast tidal flat which extends from the Tsuboigawa estuary (north of the Shirakawa river) to the Midorikawa estuary (south of the Shirakawa river) at low tide. The bottom sediment in the Shirakawa estuary was originally sand and mud, but currently ooze can be seen in many parts. Besides, a part of its bottom is covered with sand for the purpose of shellfish farming. The bank of the coast is an artificial one reinforced with concrete blocks. The inner side of the coast is mainly utilized as lotus fields, etc. In the southwest of the Shirakawa estuary there are Kumamoto harbor facilities (137 ha) built on the reclaimed tidal flat, a part of which was reclaimed with dredge soil produced by seaway dredging works.

Area & Coordinates

1,200ha 32°47′N 130°36′E
region: Kyushu Region, Kumamoto

Category

A1, A4i

Designation Type

Wildlife Protection Area (Local)

Protection Status

Unprotected

Conservation issues

• Aquaculture/fisheries
• Recreation/tourism
• Drainage
• Fill-in of wetland