Presentation Information
[6sWwrMMb-02]Smart Watershed Digital Twin for the Ocean-Based Blue Economy
*Tetsu Hattori1 (1. PwC Consulting (Japan))
This demonstration presents a Smart Watershed Digital Twin designed to support the development of “Umi-gyo,” a Japanese concept that expands local economic activity by connecting fisheries with tourism, food, learning, recreation, and community engagement.
The digital twin visualizes and integrates the diverse demands of fishers, tourism operators, residents, visitors, municipalities, researchers, and businesses. It enables stakeholders to explore future scenarios for how coastal areas, fishing ports, and marine resources can be used in complementary ways.
Coastal communities contain multiple opportunities, including seagrass and seaweed bed restoration, sustainable fisheries, stock enhancement, recreational fishing, fishing experiences, marine tourism, coastal walks, environmental education, local cuisine, accommodation, and cultural activities. By treating these activities as an integrated Umi-gyo system, the approach strengthens fisheries while creating new sources of income, employment, and exchange.
The platform combines user needs—such as preferred locations, timing, expected value, required facilities, and acceptable conditions—with information on marine ecosystems, fishing grounds, seasonal changes, catch data, port infrastructure, visitor movements, walking routes, local events, restaurants, and accommodation.
This makes it possible to identify areas for seaweed bed restoration, sustainable fishing, tourism, learning, recreation, and community use, while coordinating activities by season and time of day. For example, restored seaweed beds can improve fish habitats and support fisheries, while also creating opportunities for underwater observation, fishing experiences, environmental education, local seafood dining, and coastal tourism.
The Smart Watershed Digital Twin therefore functions as a shared decision-making platform for designing the future use of the sea. By coordinating nature restoration, fisheries, tourism, food, education, and community activities, it helps maximize environmental, economic, and social value. Ultimately, the concept aims to create a sustainable Umi-gyo model in which healthier marine ecosystems generate stronger local economies, and regional economic activity, in turn, supports continued restoration and stewardship through inclusive planning, adaptive management, and locally grounded collaboration.
The digital twin visualizes and integrates the diverse demands of fishers, tourism operators, residents, visitors, municipalities, researchers, and businesses. It enables stakeholders to explore future scenarios for how coastal areas, fishing ports, and marine resources can be used in complementary ways.
Coastal communities contain multiple opportunities, including seagrass and seaweed bed restoration, sustainable fisheries, stock enhancement, recreational fishing, fishing experiences, marine tourism, coastal walks, environmental education, local cuisine, accommodation, and cultural activities. By treating these activities as an integrated Umi-gyo system, the approach strengthens fisheries while creating new sources of income, employment, and exchange.
The platform combines user needs—such as preferred locations, timing, expected value, required facilities, and acceptable conditions—with information on marine ecosystems, fishing grounds, seasonal changes, catch data, port infrastructure, visitor movements, walking routes, local events, restaurants, and accommodation.
This makes it possible to identify areas for seaweed bed restoration, sustainable fishing, tourism, learning, recreation, and community use, while coordinating activities by season and time of day. For example, restored seaweed beds can improve fish habitats and support fisheries, while also creating opportunities for underwater observation, fishing experiences, environmental education, local seafood dining, and coastal tourism.
The Smart Watershed Digital Twin therefore functions as a shared decision-making platform for designing the future use of the sea. By coordinating nature restoration, fisheries, tourism, food, education, and community activities, it helps maximize environmental, economic, and social value. Ultimately, the concept aims to create a sustainable Umi-gyo model in which healthier marine ecosystems generate stronger local economies, and regional economic activity, in turn, supports continued restoration and stewardship through inclusive planning, adaptive management, and locally grounded collaboration.
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