Kushimoto Coral Communities. 08/11/05; Wakayama; 574 ha; 33°27'N 135°47'E. National Park. A unique littoral area rich in high-latitude to tropical marine life of 120 species, situated at southern tip of Kii Peninsula. Kuroshio Current, the major warm current on the earth, touches the area allowing formation of a peculiarly warm environment supporting tropical organisms on the main island of Japan. Acropora hyacinthus, the dominant species, is important for its high nutrition productivity and topography formation capacity, and also significant for tourism resources because of its beautiful tabular coral landscape. The highest concentration of Catalaphyllia jardenei population was identified only in this area, making it the largest marine colony in Japan and northernmost distribution in the world. The remarkable coral communities support rich biodiversity with nutrition and habitat sources stabilising the neritic environment. The site has special value for marine fishery, leisure fishing, scientific research and tourism, particularly coral observation and scuba diving. Typhoon, natural retreat of the warm current, Arita Bay development activities, illegal and over-fishing are considered as major threats to the coral communities. Ramsar site no. 1548. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Wakayama Prefecture