006The Shiretoko Peninsula extends 70 km into the Sea of Okhotsk from the eastern coast of Hokkaido. The Natural World Heritage area begins halfway down the peninsula and includes the surrounding waters. The Shiretoko Mountains, including Mount Rausu and Mount Io, run down the middle of the peninsula, separating the towns of Shari on the Okhotsk coast side and Rausu on the Nemuro Strait side.The name Shiretoko is said to derive from sir etok, meaning “promontory” in the language of the Ainu, Hokkaido’s indigenous people. Despite the harsh conditions, Ainu and settlers alike have long coexisted with nature on the peninsula. Today, government bodies and local organizations cooperate on ecotourism and other initiatives to make appropriate use of the area’s natural resources and avoid overdevelopment.Area: 71,100 haCharacteristics: Home to both northern and southern species of marine and land flora and fauna. Has the densest population of brown bears in the world. An important waystation for migratory birds.When drift ice melts in the Shiretoko seas, it releases plankton that is eaten by fish, seabirds, cetaceans, and other oceangoing species. The area’s land and marine ecosystems are highly interconnected—for example, when salmon swim upriver to spawn, they become food for brown bears and birds of prey inland, and their bones return to the soil and nourish the forests. Shari’s main industries are fishing, agriculture, and marine product processing. Most accommodation is in the Utoro region, which has become a center for sightseeing. Rausu also has thriving fisheries, particularly for walleye pollack and salmon. Rausu kombu (kelp) is renowned across Japan, and the sea urchins that feed on it are particularly flavorsome. Venison and other game meats from Shiretoko are also increasingly popular.NatureCultureFlora and FaunaLiving ShiretokoRecognized by UNESCO: July 2005
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