The Sea and Japan Project in Kochi produced “Kochi Sea Fragrant Blue-Green Algae Popcorn” with the cooperation of Azeci Foods Ltd. with the children’s wish to protect blue-green algae. And now, a portion of the proceeds from sales at the Kochi Marine High School’s “Uogashi Kaiyo 2024” event and other events have been donated to Kochi University, which is conducting research on blue-green laver.

The purpose of this project is to realize “the changes happening in the Kochi Sea now” as a result of learning at the “Kochi Blue-Green Algae Kids Adventure,” an ocean experience learning event for elementary school students in Kochi Prefecture held in the summer of 2024. The children created a package design under the theme of “The Kochi Sea,” and the Kochi The products were sold for a limited time at Dragon Plaza in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture, and at events at Kochi Maritime High School. This initiative is part of the Nippon Foundation’s “Umi to Nippon Project,” which aims to connect people through the sea in order to pass on the abundance and beauty of the sea to the next generation.

The Kochi Blue-Green Algae Kids Adventure is an activity that is part of the Nippon Foundation’s “Ocean and Japan Project,” which aims to connect people to the sea through the sea and pass on the richness and beauty of the sea to future generations. Nutrient-rich water flowing from these abundant forests creates a rich ocean that is home to a wide variety of creatures. However, global warming and other factors in recent years have drastically changed the marine environment in Kochi, altering the habitats and ecosystems of the creatures. One of these changes is seaweed. This is a marine education event that focuses on “seaweed” to experience the “changes happening in the Kochi Sea now” and to think about what we should do to protect the beautiful sea.

The package is designed with the idea of “protecting blue-green algae! Blue-green laver popcorn with the scent of the Kochi Sea

With the cooperation of the Marine Botany Laboratory of Kochi University, participants learned about the potential of blue-green laver and other seaweeds. Carbon dioxide is said to be the number one cause of global warming. Blue-green laver and other sea plants grow by photosynthesis in the sea, which is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Blue-green algae are the “earth-friendly superman of the sea!”

However, due to recent ocean warming and other factors, Kochi Prefecture is beginning to see negative effects. Through various experiences such as research at Kochi University and observation of living creatures, the children realized “the changes that are happening in Kochi’s oceans now. One of the things they could do to help preserve the beauty of the sea for the future was to make popcorn with the rich flavor of “suji green laver” grown on land by a venture company called “Umi no Kenkyusha” (Sea Research House), which was founded by Kochi University. The package is decorated with illustrations of children, symbolizing the company’s desire to “protect blue-green laver.