A brackish lake famous for oyster aquaculture and the wetland 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 Salt Marsh, lake, salt marsh, low moor, high moor, river / Designation: Special Protection Area of National Wildlife Protection River, Moor Area / Municipalities Involved: Akkeshi Town, Hokkaido Prefecture / Ramsar Designation: June 1993 / Ramsar Criteria:1, 2, 4, 6 Bekambeushi River and Lake Akkeshi-ko Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus quality is carried out in Akkeshi-ko. In order to maintain its water environment, the local fishing cooperative plants trees The high moor in the Bekambeushi River basin (Photo by M. Okada) every year in the catchment area. [Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagi- cus] It is a black-brown eagle with white General Overview: nese name Akkeshi-so because it was first tail, white upper wing coverts, large yel- Flowing northwards in eastern Hokkai- found in this lake, Akkeshi-ko. low bill and yellow legs. It is the largest do is the 43km long Bekambeushi River, Paradise for Wild Birds: among sea eagle species and has a body the most pristine major river in Japan due Approximately 200 species of birds have length of about 90cm and a wingspan of to the small amount of human interven- been recorded in the area. As it does not 240cm. After breeding in the coastal areas tion. In its basin lies the 8300ha Bekam- completely freeze over in winter, Akkeshi- of Kamchatka and Sakhalin in Russia, it beushi-shitsugen and at its mouth the ko is an important wintering ground for winters in Hokkaido, particularly in east- 3,230ha Lake Akkeshi-ko. the Whooper Swans. In addition, almost ern Hokkaido. It mainly feeds on fish. Situated between the larger wetlands, 300 Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Contact Information: Kiritappu-shitsugen and Kushiro-shitsug- Sea Eagles, winter here. Akkeshi-ko is Akkeshi Town Office en, the largely inaccessible Bekambeushi- also an important habitat for Japanese http://www.akkeshi-town.jp/ shitsugen remained undeveloped, thus Cranes. In 2005, a 381ha sanctuary for the retaining its natural character. Its pristine Japanese Crane entrusted to the Wild Bird condition can be considered as a rarity Society of Japan was added to the Ramsar Rd. Rd. in Japan. In 1989, satellite imaging re- designation area. The area is included in vealed that 100ha of high moor remained the Flyway Site Network under the Part- Bekambeushi River completely untouched in the river basin. nership for the East Asian-Australasian Nemuro Surrounding this area are low moors with Flyway. Akkeshi-ko and City Bekambeushi-shitsugen their characteristic reed, sedge, and alder Wise Use of the Lake: vegetation. This is an invaluable wetland Because both Lake Akkeshi-ko and that displays the natural development of Akkeshi Bay on the coast of Pacific Ocean Observation Center Lake wetlands. As Lake Akkeshi-ko is a brackish are rich in biodiversity, they have long Akkeshi Sta. Hichirippu Kushiro water lake, plant communities of saline been known by fishermen for their pro- City Akkeshi environment are found in some places in ductive waters. Fishing is still one of the Rwy Rd. Pacific -ko the salt marsh along the shore, including major industries in the area. In particular, Ocean Common Glasswort which has the Japa- aquaculture of oysters and clams of high RAMSAR SITES in JAPAN 19.