Japan adds 2 more sites to list of internationally important wetlands

Japan has designated two coastal areas to be of international importance, raising the number of such domestic sites to 52, the only international conservationist body focused on wetlands said Thursday.Seen as key habitats for waterfowls and other creatures, Shizugawa bay in the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi and Kasai Marine Park in Tokyo were recognized for their conservation value based on the Ramsar treaty.Japan joined the treaty in 1980 and Kushiro-shitsugen on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido became the first Ramsar site that year.At Shizugawa bay, which is characterized by …READ FULL ARTICLE