Changing Coastal Commons in a Sub-Tropical Island Ecosystem, Yaeyama Islands, Japan - Island Futures: Conservation and Development Across the Asia-Pacific Region - page 132

Fig. 10.3 TSW distribution around Kohama Island
buried underground and people prayed for a good catch for the year. In some cases,
dugong would be captured in a particular TSW. During the feudal times (between
1602 and 1848), dugong meat was an important item and was used as tribute to the
king of the Ryukyu Kingdom (to which Okinawa belonged) and the local
government.
Decline of Tidal Stone Weir Fishing
Most of the TSWs in Yaeyama have now fallen into disuse. The last stone weir to be
in operation was reportedly the one owned and used by Komi villagers on Iriomote.
Although it is now abandoned, according to our observations in summer 2009, the
structure was still in fairly good condition (Fig. 10.4 ). The reason for its abandonment
was the death of the owner, after which it is said that no one would assume
responsibility for regular maintenance. Since the walls of stone weirs could be
damaged by wave action during the annual typhoon season or by the strong northerly
winds prevalent in early spring, repair was a seasonal activity requiring much effort.
Without cooperative work, tidal stone weirs cannot be properly maintained.
Several other factors have been identified as possible causes of stone weir
abandonment. These include: (1) the decline of catch due to expanding Ishigaki
fishing activities in many parts of Yaeyama coastal waters (Akimichi and Ruddle