'BYOS Clean Network' Conducts First Removal of Invasive Aquatic Plants

Copyright Shinya Murata & Panasonic

The BYOS Clean Network, an in-house environmental conservation organization of the Panasonic Group, removed foreign aquatic plants at Niwakubo Wando along the Yodo River on June 20, 2009. As the first group-wide initiative, they participated in activities organized by the Yodogawa River Office of the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport. BYOS is an abbreviation of Biwako (Lake Biwa), Yodogawa (Yodo River), Osaka-wan (Osaka Bay) and Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea). The network aims to co-ordinate environmental conservation activities, originally conducted separately at each worksite, by incorporating water quality control activities group-wide.

River rangers, facilitators of communication between local governments and citizens designated by the Yodogawa River Office, called for participants to remove invasive aquatic plants from the river. About 30 participants, including employees of the Panasonic Group and students at Osaka University of Commerce, assisted in these activities.

Niwakubo Wando, a side-cavity along the Yodo River, collects freshwater fish and shellfish, including a protected fish species in Japan - the Itasenpara Bitterling. Foreign aquatic plants, however, began to cover the river surface six or seven years ago, and have had an unfavorable impact on the river ecosystem. During the removal activities, participants worked hard to collect litter, such as plastic bottles and plastic bags, in addition to removing the invasive aquatic plants.

Susumu Yamaguchi, river ranger and chairman of the executive committee for the BYOS Clean Network Council, said, "This activity facilitated internal collaboration within the company and helped further expansion through the participation of government, academia and citizens. We hope to provide more such opportunities and information for company staff and their families."

Water Quality Monitoring by Citizens along Yodo River (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026624.html
Himi City Sets Out to Protect a Threatened Fish, the Itasenpara Bitterling (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/025537.html

Posted: 2009/10/26 06:00:15 AM