Management

2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN

4c. Protective measures andimplementation
The nominated site is designated as protected areas according tonational laws and regulations.
• Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area
• Shiretoko National Park• Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve• Shiretoko National Wildlife Protection Area
Many of these protected areas overlap each other and complement eachother in protecting the nominated site.
In addition, the nominated site contains habitats for various wildlife
including the brown bear, Yezo sika deer, Blakiston’s fish-owl, whitetailed eagle and Steller’s sea eagle. Some of these species are protectedby the Law for Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna andFlora and as a Natural Monument under the Law for the Protection ofCultural Properties.

70With regard to the fishery industry, the following restrictions areimposed in accordance with the Regulation of Sea Fisheries Adjustment
in Hokkaido and Regulation of Inland Fisheries Adjustment in Hokkaido
based on the Fisheries Law and Fishery Resources Protection Law: therestriction or prohibition include capturing Sakhalin surf clams and seaurchins based on their sizes; restriction or prohibition of fishingmethods such as capturing fish by running electric currents in thewater; designation of closed area or period for fishing.
With regard to the salmon and trout, which are the major fisheryresources in the Shiretoko area, their capture is prohibited in all rivers in
Hokkaido. In addition, their capture in the sea near the mouths of theIwaubetsu River, the Onnebetsu River, the Rausu River and the SashiruiRiver is prohibited to ensure the capture of adult fish for the artificial
production and fry release program.
In addition, the Onnebetsu River is designated as protected wateraccording to the Fishery Resources Protection Law and the capture ofaquatic animals is prohibited year around.

ManagementThus, sustainable use of fishery resources is aimed at through national
regulations, local regulations by the Hokkaido prefectural government
and the voluntary restrictions by the fishery industry.

4c.1 Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area
Wilderness Areas are designated and administered by the Minister ofthe Environment based on the Nature Conservation Law (issued on June22, 1972). Its purpose is to provide necessary protection for virginnatural environments of a significant scale without being influenced byhuman activities.
Based on the above law, the area surrounding Mt. Onnebetsu wasexcluded from the Shiretoko National Park and designated as theOnnebetsudake Wilderness Area on February 4, 1980. The Wilderness
Area is included in the nominated site.
The basic principle of the policy on conservation for Wilderness Areas
lies in ensuring the nature to follow its own course in the areas
concerned and except for special circumstances such as for scientificresearch purposes, all activities which may impact the preservation of
the natural environment is prohibited. Examples of prohibited activities
include: construction, reconstruction and extension of structure; logging
and related activities; capturing or gathering animals or plants;
gathering fallen leaves and branches; open fires.

4c.2 Shiretoko National Park
National Park is designated and administered by the Minister of theEnvironment based on the Natural Parks Law (issued on June 1, 1957).
Its purpose is to protect the places of scenic beauty as well as promote its
utilization as a resource for the health, recreation and culture of thepeople.

Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area
photo by Ministry of the Environment

712004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPANBased on the above law, an area was designated as the Shiretoko National
Park on June 1, 1964. The Shiretoko National Park is included in thenominated site. The park is classified into several zones and each isprotected according to the relevant requirements in the regulatory plan:
the Special Zone is an area important for the protection and theutilization of the park. Activities such as the construction of new
facilities, rebuilding and logging require the permission of the Ministerof the Environment. The Special Protection Zone is an area necessary toensure the protection of the core parts of the park and is protected withmore stringent requirements. In addition to the construction of new
facilities, rebuilding and logging, activities such as the capturing orgathering of animals or plants, gathering fallen leaves and branches, andopen fires require the permission of the Minister of the Environment. In
the Ordinary Zone, activities such as reclamation of the surface of waterrequire the notification to the Minister of the Environment.
Furthermore, footpaths and visitor centers are developed in accordancewith the facility plan for the park in order to ensure the protection ofnature and to promote adequate utilization.

4c.3 Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve
ManagementForest Ecosystem Reserve is designated and administered by theForestry Agency based on the Law on the Administration andManagement of National Forests. In its planned administration andmanagement program of the national forests, details on plan creation for
the actual administration and management activities of each region are
set out in the National Forests Administration and Management Bylawand Protected forest setting rule. The purpose of the Forest Ecosystem
Reserve is to maintain the natural environment of the forest ecosystem,
protect plants and animals, preserve genetic resources, develop forest
operation and management technique, and promote scientific researchetc. The Reserve preserves virgin natural forests which represent theforest zones in Japan and which exist in a reasonably large scale.
Based on the regime as described above, the central part of theShiretoko Peninsula was designated as the Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem
Reserve in April 1990. Further it was decided to extend the area up tothe Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area west of the Shiretoko Crossroad
effective on April 2004, and legal formalities to achieve this are inprocess. The Preservation Zone contains forest in the most virgin
condition and measures are being implemented to ensure that this forest
ecosystem is strictly preserved. Excluding special circumstances suchas academic research activities and natural disaster relief, in principle,
the area is left to follow its natural course without human intervention inthis zone. The Conservation and Utilization Zone works as a buffer inorder to prevent the environmental changes of the surrounding area
impacting on the forests in the Preservation Zone. In this zone, forest
operation for wood production is not allowed. However, in accordancewith the conditions such as the natural conditions of the location, thearea may be utilized as an educational resource or a recreational site
without involving any large-scale development.

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4c.4 Shiretoko National Wildlife Protection Area
National Wildlife Protection Areas are designated by the Minister of theEnvironment based on the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law (issuedon July 12, 2002; this law was a complete revision of the former Wildlife
Protection and Hunting Law issued on April 4, 1918). Its purpose is toprovide protection of wildlife and to enforce appropriate requirements on
hunting to ensure the biodiversity of the wildlife which in turn enables
people to enjoy the bounties of nature.

Management

Based on the above law, the area designated as Wildlife Protection Area
and Special Protection Area on November 1, 2001 overlaps with thenominated site. Activities such as capturing wildlife and collecting eggs
are prohibited in the area designated as Wildlife Protection Area. Areas
deemed to be an important habitat and breeding site for wildlife aredesignated as Special Protection Areas and certain development
activities are prohibited in such areas. In addition, a part of the Special
Protection Area is designated as Designated Special Protection Area
which is under more stringent protection requirements. In addition tocapturing or collecting animals and plants as well as collecting fallen
leaves and branches, the following activities are prohibited in theDesignated Special Protection Area: entering with dogs and otheranimals that may be harmful to the wildlife; monitoring or taking
pictures of the wildlife which may affect their nesting behavior; etc.

4c.5 Natural Monuments
Natural Monuments are designated by the Minister of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on the Law for theProtection of Cultural Properties (issued on May 30, 1950). Its purpose isto protect animals or plants (including their habitats, breeding sites,
stopover points for migratory birds and native habitats) and geologicalfeatures and minerals (including areas of unique natural phenomenon)
which have high scientific value for the country.
Among the wildlife in the nominated site, the following four species ofbirds and one butterfly have been designated as Natural Monuments:• white-tailed eagle (designated on January 23, 1970),• Steller’s sea eagle (January 23, 1970),• Blakiston’s fish-owl (May 19, 1971),• black woodpecker (May 12, 1965) and• Vaciniina optilete Knoch (May 2, 1967).
An activity that would alter the state of the Natural Monuments oraffect their preservation requires permission from the Director-Generalof the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

4c.6 National Endangered Species
National Endangered Species are endangered wildlife species thatinhabit or grow in Japan which are designated by the government
ordinance according to the Law for Conservation of Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora.

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2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPANAmong the animals which inhabit the nominated site, species such as
the white-tailed eagle, Steller’s sea eagle and Blakiston’s fish-owl havebeen designated as National Endangered Species and activities such as
capturing, killing or damaging and transfer of organisms of endangered
species are prohibited.

4d. Management authority
The following government organizations (4d.1 – 4d.3) are responsible forthe administration of the nominated site.
Further, the Shiretoko Nominated Site Regional Liaison Committee wasformed with members from related government organizations and localgroups in order to ensure effective cooperation and collaboration
between agencies and parties for a comprehensive administration
scheme for the nominated site.

4d.1 Ministry of the Environment
Management

The nominated site is maintained through Utoro and Rausu Ranger
Office for Nature Conservation in addition to East Hokkaido Regional
Office for Nature Conservation.
＜East Hokkaido Regional Office for Nature Conservation＞
Address: 4F Kushiro National Government Building, 10-3 Saiwai town, Kushiro City,
Hokkaido 085-8639
TEL: +81-(0)154-32-7500
FAX: +81-(0)154-32-7575＜Utoro Ranger Office for Nature Conservation＞
Address: 208 Utoro-higashi, Shari town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4355
TEL: +81-(0)1522-4-2297
FAX: +81-(0)1522-4-3646＜Rausu Ranger Office for Nature Conservation＞
Address: 388 Yunosawa, Rausu town, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido 086-1822
TEL: +81-(0)1538-7-2402
FAX: +81-(0)1538-7-2468

4d.2 Forestry Agency
The nominated site is maintained through the Shiretoko Forest Center,
Abashiri South District Forest Office and Konsen East District Forest
Office which are the outposts of the Kitami and Obihiro Branch Officesof the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office as well as through the three
Forest Ranger Offices in Utoro, Minehama and Rausu.
＜Hokkaido District Forest Office＞
Address: 7-70 Miyanomori 3-jyo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 064-8537＜Hokkaido Forestry Management Department＞
Address: 7-70 Miyanomori 3-jyo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 064-8537
TEL: +81-(0)11-622-5231
FAX: +81-(0)11-622-5235

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Management＜Kitami Branch Office, Hokkaido Regional Forest Office＞
Address: 70 Kiyomi town, Kitami City, Hokkaido 090-8588
TEL: +81-(0)157-24-7242
FAX: +81-(0)157-24-9489＜Obihiro Branch Office, Hokkaido Regional Forest Office＞
Address: 13 Higashi 8-jyo Minami, Obihiro City, Hokkaido 080-0808
TEL: +81-(0)155-23-5829
FAX: +81-(0)155-22-8541＜Shiretoko Forest Center＞
Address: 11 Honmachi, Shari town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4113
TEL: +81-(0)1522-3-3009
FAX: +81-(0)1522-3-3160＜Abashiri South District Forest Office＞
Address: 656-1 aza Koshimizu, Koshimizu town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-3632
TEL: +81-(0)152-62-2211
FAX: +81-(0)152-62-2213＜Konsen East District Forest Office＞
Address: 2-1-9 Minami 2-jyo Nishi, Shibetsu town, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido 086-1652
TEL: +81-(0)1538-2-2202
FAX: +81-(0)1538-2-2284＜Utoro Forest Ranger Office＞
Address: 16 aza Utorohigashi, Shari town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4355
TEL: +81-(0)1522-4-2144
FAX: +81-(0)1522-4-2144＜Minehama Forest Ranger Office＞
Address: 11-1 Honmachi, Shari town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4113
TEL: +81-(0)1522-3-1607
FAX: +81-(0)1522-3-6357＜Rausu Forest Ranger Office＞
Address: 136 Funami town, Rausu town, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido 086-1832
TEL: +81-(0)1538-7-2017

4d.3 Agency for Cultural Affairs
Address: 3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959
TEL: +81-(0)3-5253-4111
FAX: +81-(0)3-3591-0293

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