Since 1995
NPO法人 Okinawa O.C.E.A.N.
Ocean Culture & Environment Action Network
Conserving Okinawa's marine environment through education, direct action, and community.
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NPO法人 Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. Chairman Ed Sanchez announced new marine conservation initiatives at an Okinawa Prefecture press conference, launching on World Oceans Day (June 8) in partnership with OIST researcher Fabienne Ziadi-Künzli — connecting fishermen, scientists, and communities to protect Okinawa's seas for future generations.
恩納村のNPO法人「沖縄オーシャン」（エド・サンチェス理事長）は5日、県庁で会見し、8日の「世界海洋デー」から新たな取り組みを始めると発表した。人の暮らしを次世代へつなぎながら、豊かな海を守り、2033年に向けて「海界海洋デー」から取り組みを始めるという。食品ロス削減にも取り組む。同法人には広く会員を募集する。
沖縄科学技術大学院大学（OIST）客員研究員のズィアディ・ファビエンさんが住民や漁業者と研究者をつなぐコミュニティーを立ち上げる。漁師の声を聞き、「科学的なデータを用い、魚がしっかり取れ、地域で模索するな」解決策を源とするという。また、石川利奈副理事長が沖縄伝統の食文化を学ぶ取り組みも発表した。
Dedicated to the conservation of Okinawa's marine environment
In practice: Our mission is to conserve Okinawa's marine environment through education, direct action, and public awareness; cooperate with aligned organizations; and connect ocean protection with local food culture, food loss reduction, and youth welfare. The sea remains central to Okinawan identity. This page emphasizes legacy record and future direction—see Current work for ongoing program themes and Future directions for what we aim to explore next.
Official mission (NPO portal): To provide experiential educational programs, especially for young people, that use international exchange to learn about ocean culture and natural environments, thereby contributing to the cultivation of international leaders who understand healthy communities and societies.
In practice: We conserve Okinawa's marine environment through education, direct action, and public awareness; cooperate with organizations with similar goals; and connect ocean protection with local food culture, food loss reduction, and youth welfare. We believe the sea is central to Okinawan identity and heritage. This public page is focused on historical record and next-phase priorities.
Marine conservation: Over many years the network ran the Junior O.C.E.A.N. Ranger Program (600+ students), the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club (45,000+ volunteers since 1992), the I Love Okinawa Campaign and Okinawa Cleanup Yuimaru (ICC-linked) cleanups from May 3 (“Gomi no Hi”) and third Sundays through November; reported marine debris data to JEAN and Ocean Conservancy; and operated the Okinawa Adopt-a-Beach/Reef portal. My Beach / My Reef engaged Beach Captains, Reef Captains, and Pasha Navi volunteers. Yacht races for roughly two decades deepened partnership with the 11th Regional Coast Guard and helped seed the Okinawa Clean Coast Network (OCCN). With FM Okinawa we expanded broadcast outreach and public environmental communication.
Food systems & youth: The Mermaid Mama Project and ZERO HUNGER Okinawa channeled surplus food into free bento for children and linked resort food loss with children’s cafeterias (子ども食堂) and SDG-oriented education—see program cards for context.
We are based in Onna Village (official address: Yamada, Kunigami-gun).
Timeline (latest first), including recent continuity and relaunch preparation from 2020–2026. Use the era filters to show only the period you want.
We are preparing to relaunch with a focus on where to go next: food resilience, coastal pressure from tourism, marine life and science partnerships, culture and language, and youth or institutional education—not as a list of active deliveries on this site, but as exploration themes we can build with partners.
Our long-term message remains the same: not one-off cleanup, but durable behavior and culture change through education, media, and local ownership.
The organization held its March 24, 2026 General Assembly and is now preparing next-phase public programming and partnerships for the relaunch period.
From 2020 to 2025, we maintained partner ties, preserved key history materials, and continued Mermaid Mama / ZERO HUNGER coordination while preparing the practical foundation for relaunch.
March 2014: Team records include a formal petition to the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly titled the “Okinawa Asia-Pacific ESD HUB Initiative” (toward a sustainable 22nd century). It asked the assembly to back steps such as raising Okinawa’s inclusion in the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) geographic scope with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, endorsing the Earth Charter, and encouraging prefectural engagement with the UNESCO Associated Schools network. The document named ANA Cargo, the OIST-led R&D cluster task force, and other actors as examples of Okinawa’s hub potential—historical advocacy context from 2014, not an endorsement list for today.
31 October 2014: A UNESCO Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development launch commitment registration in team archives names Edoardo Heinrich-Sanchez as contact, prioritizes empowering youth, and frames activities for 2014–2020, including the Asia-Pacific ESD hub vision and related partnership lines (e.g. JFGE, APN) from that period.
Slide decks and scans from the same era (LINE photo archive) align with this two-step story: assembly-facing petition, then UNESCO GAP registration.
NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N. leads the UNEP Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) conference at OIST—Okinawa/Ryukyu were outside the plan's official scope, but we became the local proponent. Two grants fund an NGO conference at Seaside House and an international conference on the main campus. We invite the Green Fins representative and propose Maida Point as a Green Fins test site; Green Fins has since been adopted by Onna Village.
OIST’s public event record describes the programme as the 2013 NOWPAP International Coastal Cleanup and Workshop on Marine Litter Management (24–26 October 2013): capacity-building for regional marine-litter management, promotion of International Coastal Cleanup in the NOWPAP region, and an International Coastal Cleanup on 26 October on Kuraha Beach, Onna Village (Yamada area), with workshop venues including B250 and Kuraha (Malibu) Beach. OIST listing: 2013 NOWPAP ICC & workshop · sponsor/contact on that page: Eduardo Heinrich-Sanchez (project leader), imagine2033esd@icloud.com.
The same “Blue October” period also includes the Okinawa NGO Asia-Pacific Environmental Forum on 23 October 2013 (Seaside House / OIST-linked venue in Onna), ahead of the NOWPAP workshop days; in the hall and on screen, materials featured “My Island : My Earth” themes with Naka Bokunen’s work. TEDxRyukyu followed in November 2013 at OIST in Onna (OIST news: TEDxRyukyu), extending the year’s public conversation on ideas and sustainability.
Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. formally endorses and joins the Earth Charter initiative, connecting local activities to this global ethical framework for sustainability.
Around 2006, collaboration with FM Okinawa helped document and amplify the movement ecosystem around beach cleanups and environmental education, including interviews with NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N. co-founders.
The My Beach / My Reef Project (マイビーチ／マイリーフ) launches: Beach Captains and Reef Captains care for specific sites; Pasha Navi volunteers document beaches. Supports global marine-debris efforts and online coastal monitoring.
NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N. receives a major award from the national government (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications); delegation goes to Tokyo and meets Aso Taro. Collaboration with the Discovery Channel produces an episode on Eisa for Fantastic Festivals of the World (HD Theater); it goes on to receive an award from the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau for sparking international interest in Okinawa tourism.
On 7 April 2003, Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. is certified as a Specified Nonprofit Corporation (特定非営利活動法人). We were the first NPO registered in Onna Village and participated in hearings to help shape the new NPO law.
We develop the Okinawa version of "My Ocean Charter" (私の海洋憲章) for the International Year of the Ocean. Endorsed by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO; realized as a woodblock print by artist Naka Bokunen. Over 10,000 volunteers sign the charter.
This My Ocean Charter (1998, International Year of the Ocean) is a separate initiative from the later “My Island : My Earth” Charter, which grew out of the 2006 PALM Pacific Islands Youth Meeting in Okinawa—often carrying the same Bokunen visual language—as a parallel thread on island-to-planetary stewardship.
Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. participates in the Earth Summit at UN Headquarters in New York as one of the representative organizations in the Asia Environmental Society, linking Okinawa to global island and environmental networks.
Members of the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club formalize their efforts into the Ocean Culture & Environment Action Network to coordinate education, cleanups, and awareness.
Volunteer beach cleanups begin. This community initiative would grow into one of the largest and longest-running marine conservation efforts in the Ryukyu Islands.
Exploration themes we want to develop after relaunch
To explore: How can Okinawa strengthen local food security (fisheries, mozuku, agriculture) while reducing waste and linking producers, schools, and households? What “Okinawa models” from past food-loss and youth-meal work are worth reviving or redesigning?
To explore: What monitoring and storytelling would make overtourism impacts (plastic, reef damage, carrying capacity) visible and actionable? How do we connect ICC-style data, municipal contacts, and volunteer networks without burning out communities?
To explore: Where can citizen science, Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) / species work, and sea-turtle or habitat stories reinforce protection? How do we pair academic partners with local stewards and school programs?
To explore: How do Uchinaguchi, arts, and “island pride” narratives translate into durable behavior change—not one-off cleanups? What role for radio and intergenerational mentoring?
To explore: How should Junior Ranger–style experiential learning, school campaigns, and UN/IOC-style charters evolve post-2006? Where can we collaborate with FM Okinawa, municipalities, JEAN/Ocean Conservancy-style reporting, and research institutes (e.g. OIST) for credible, bilingual outreach?
To explore: How can we strengthen knowledge exchange and practical collaboration with nearby universities, technical schools, and nonprofit conservation groups in Okinawa and across Asia? We aim to connect local action with academic and NGO networks (for example OIST, University of the Ryukyus, and regional partner organizations) to co-develop credible, community-linked projects.
Two-part documentary on YouTube (Japanese)
The clips titled 「美ら海を子供たちに」 (Parts 1–2) are documentaries about Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. and the clean-beach movement—narrated coverage of campaigns, founders, education, and related milestones. They were produced around the 2004 recognition period (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). The films sit in our public record next to the current work and awards sections.
Ongoing programs and themes we carry forward
The network supported shark and ray conservation in Okinawa, including work around Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), sea turtle protection, citizen science, and school outreach so that Okinawa’s marine life could be better understood and defended.
Okinawa is now home to seven officially recognized Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs).
These sites were proposed by shark and ray researchers from Okinawa and accepted in January 2025 by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group.
Current efforts, coordinated through the NPO, focus on expanding research (including tagging and environmental surveys) to better understand the spatial and temporal use of these areas. In parallel, we work closely with local communities, fisheries, and government partners to build shared knowledge and capacity, supporting informed and inclusive conservation planning in Okinawa.
ISRA reference map (regional context).
Team: Dr. Fabienne Ziadi-Künzli, marine volunteers.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.Historically among the longest-running volunteer coastal programs in the Ryukyus: the Junior O.C.E.A.N. Ranger Program (600+ students over the years), the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club (45,000+ volunteers since 1992), and the I Love Okinawa / Cleanup Yuimaru beach cleanups from May 3 through November. Beach Captains and Reef Captains cared for named sites; debris data went to JEAN and Ocean Conservancy.
Team: Edo Heinrich-Sanchez, Fabienne Ziadi-Künzli, Tomokazu Gushikami, volunteers.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.Past work addressed marine plastic, beach litter, and coral damage linked to rapid tourism growth, combining cleanup culture with calls for better data and visitor behavior so that tourism and conservation could coexist.
Team: Edo Heinrich-Sanchez, OCCN partners, volunteers.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.Programs framed the sea as central to Okinawan identity: preserving traditions, knowledge, and language alongside environmental action — a holistic “island culture” pillar carried in events, media, and education partnerships.
Team: Urara Tanahara, culture advisors, community partners.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.The Mermaid Mama Project channeled surplus food from hotels, farmers, and supermarkets into free weekly bento for children in need (for example ~60 meals on Fridays to study-support sites across municipalities). ZERO HUNGER Okinawa connected resort food loss with children’s cafeterias (子ども食堂) and SDG-oriented learning.
Team: Rina Ishikawa (bento coordination), Remi Ie (legacy), volunteers.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.Advocacy and pilots supported sustainable agriculture and fisheries—from mozuku and coral-aware coastal use in Onna to an “Okinawa model” linking aquaculture and agriculture—aimed at greater food self-reliance and climate resilience.
Team: Directors, farm and fishery partners, volunteers.
Interested in this line of work? Contact us about collaboration.How institutions relate to our work—grouped by grants and recognition, endorsement, and field partnership. Not every relationship is active today.
We are grateful for long-running collaboration across sectors. Funding procedures for new donations are being updated—please contact us to discuss support.
This overview is illustrative; a fuller funding and partnership history is available on request. NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N. is moving toward Nintei (tax-deductible) status to make corporate donations easier.
From among OICBC and NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N. founding members, multiple Okinawan environmental groups emerged; many still partner on coastal protection.
Marks below are mostly field / programme partners; endorsers and grantors are named in the lists above. Links open in a new tab.
Coasts, broadcasting & island programmes
UN, regional seas & science cooperation
Government, funders & campaigns
Okinawa Prefecture
Japan Fund for Global Environment
World Oceans Day
MLIT (Japan)
Government / NPO portal context
Historical visibility & technology
International recognition and institutional accolades
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NPO法人 directors, adjacent volunteers, and extended network.
Our work contributes to these UN SDGs
No Poverty
Quality Education
Sustainable Cities & Communities
Responsible Consumption
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Partnerships for the Goals
Our legacy programs have mapped onto SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through marine conservation and cleanups; SDG 4 (Quality Education) via the Junior Ranger Program, school outreach, and youth events; SDG 17 (Partnerships) through JEAN, Ocean Conservancy, UNESCO, and local and international partners. SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) were advanced by the Mermaid Mama Project and ZERO HUNGER Okinawa, which channeled food loss into meals and food education. Coastal and community work also supported SDG 11 and 13. Future delivery will be rebuilt around the exploration themes.
Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. supports the Sustainable Development Goals. SDG icons: United Nations. Disclaimer: Use of the official UN SDG icons here does not imply endorsement by the United Nations.
NPO法人 沖縄O.C.E.A.N.
NPO法人 Okinawa O.C.E.A.N.
特定非営利活動法人 Okinawa Ocean Culture & Environment Action Network（通称：沖縄O.C.E.A.N.）
Official address: 沖縄県国頭郡恩納村字山田357番地2
Yamada 357-2, Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Operations HQ:
1468-250 (C-2)
Yamashiro, Ishikawa, Uruma City
Okinawa Prefecture 〒904-1113
Japan (Ryukyu Islands)
For donations or sponsorship inquiries, please email us and we will share current support options.
The edo@okinawaocean.org email address will be operational after June 8, 2026 (tentative).
edo@okinawaocean.org のメールアドレスは、2026年6月8日以降の稼働を予定しています（仮）。
Status update
We held a General Assembly on March 24, 2026. The team is preparing to relaunch and start next-phase activities. This website has been soft-launched for April 1st 2026, for the new Japanese fiscal year. Expect frequent updates in the coming days. A Japanese version of the site is planned for publication on June 8, 2026 (World Oceans Day).
