A brackish lake famous for oyster aquaculture and the in a pristine river basin Akkeshi-ko and Bekambeushi-shitsugen Brackish Lake, Geographical Coordinates: 43°03’N, 144°54’E / Altitude: 0-20m / Area: 5277ha / Major Type of Wetland: Brackish , lake, salt marsh, low moor, high moor, river / Designation: Special Protection Area of National Wildlife Protection River, Moor Area / Municipalities Involved: Akkeshi Town, Prefecture / Ramsar Designation: June 1993 / Ramsar Criteria:1, 2, 4, 6 / EAAFP Flyway Network Site

Bekambeushi River and Lake Akkeshi-ko

Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus

every year in the catchment area. [Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus] It is a black-brown eagle with white tail, The high moor in the Bekambeushi River basin (Photo by M. Okada) white upper wing coverts, large yellow bill and yellow legs. It is the largest among sea eagle species and has a body length General Overview: nese name Akkeshi-so because it was fi rst of about 90cm and a wingspan of 240cm. Flowing northwards in eastern Hok- found in this lake, Akkeshi-ko. After breeding in the coastal areas of kaido is the 43km long Bekambeushi Paradise for Wild Birds: Kamchatka and Sakhalin in Russia, it win- River, the most pristine major river in Approximately 200 species of birds have ters in Hokkaido, particularly in eastern due to the small amount of human been recorded in the area. As it does not Hokkaido. It mainly feeds on fi sh. intervention. In its basin lies the 8300ha completely freeze over in winter, Akkeshi- Contact Information: Bekambeushi-shitsugen and at its mouth ko is an important wintering ground for Akkeshi Town Offi ce the 3,230ha Lake Akkeshi-ko. the Whooper Swans. In addition, almost http://www.akkeshi-town.jp/ Situated between the larger , 300 Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Kiritappu-shitsugen and Kushiro-shitsu– Sea Eagles, winter here. Akkeshi-ko is gen, the largely inaccessible Bekambe– also an important habitat for Japanese ushi-shitsugen remained undeveloped, Cranes. In 2005, a 381ha sanctuary for the thus retaining its natural character. Its Japanese Crane entrusted to the Wild Bird pristine condition can be considered as a Society of Japan was added to the Ramsar Rd. Rd. rarity in Japan. In 1989, satellite imaging designation area. revealed that 100ha of high moor remained Wise Use of the Lake: Bekambeushi River completely untouched in the river basin. Because both Lake Akkeshi-ko and Nemuro Akkeshi-ko and City Surrounding this area are low moors with Akkeshi Bay on the coast of Pacifi c Ocean Bekambeushi-shitsugen their characteristic reed, sedge, and alder are rich in biodiversity, they have long vegetation. This is an invaluable wetland been known by fi shermen for their pro- that displays the natural development of ductive waters. Fishing is still one of the Observation Center Lake wetlands. As Lake Akkeshi-ko is a brackish major industries in the area. In particular, Akkeshi Sta. Hichirippu Kushiro water lake, plant communities of saline aquaculture of oysters and clams of high City Akkeshi environment are found in some places in quality is carried out in Akkeshi-ko. In Rwy Rd. Pacific -ko the salt marsh along the shore, including order to maintain its water environment, Ocean Common Glasswort which has the Japa- the local fi shing cooperative plants trees

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