Okinawa has a remarkable diversity of fish species, many of which have not been fully documented. To better understand this biodiversity, the team collects and preserves specimens, analyzes their DNA, and identifies local fish species that have not yet been formally named or may have been misidentified.
The team also samples genomic data from fish populations across the islands to understand how Okinawa’s reef and coastal biodiversity originated and diverged, how species and populations are distributed and connected, and how they respond to local and regional environmental challenges.
These findings can support sustainable fisheries, identify key areas for conserving threatened fish populations, and guide science-based decisions about Okinawa’s marine resources. Beyond these conservation applications, the collected specimens and associated data can provide a long-term record of Okinawa’s fish biodiversity and contribute to collaborations with museums and other research institutions, making this material available for further study.
