Numazu Port Deep Sea Aquarium Coelacanth Museum沼津港深海水族館 シーラカンス・ミュージアム

It's interesting to know what we don't know. Here, we'll convey the excitement of deep sea creatures.

Numazu Port Deep Sea Aquarium is dedicated to the world's rare deep sea creatures. It opened in December 2011 as the result of President Sato's strong desire to "build a facility to revitalize the region" of Samasa Suisan, a seafood company with a history of over 100 years in Numazu Port. The unique location of Numazu, which is adjacent to Japan's deepest Suruga Bay, is what makes this aquarium filled with deep-sea creatures unique in the world, as well as the cooperation of the local community. One of the features of deep-sea aquariums is that they partner with local fishermen to charter bottom trawling boats and have aquarium staff go out to catch deep-sea creatures themselves. Because Suruga Bay is so deep, the fishing grounds are close and fish can be returned quickly after being caught, reducing transportation time. It can be said that this is an aquarium that can only be created in Numazu. In Japan, the area below 200 m depth is called the "deep sea." From there, photosynthesis becomes impossible, and the ecology changes. As the museum says, "The deep sea is interesting because we can't see it," and the real thrill of studying deep-sea life is that there are many things we don't understand, such as why things are shaped the way they are. The aquarium exhibits many deep-sea creatures from Suruga Bay and around the world, but another highlight along with the deep-sea creatures are two frozen and three taxidermied " coelacanths." The coelacanth was thought to be extinct, but since it was discovered in South Africa in 1938, it has become known as a "living fossil." There used to be many different types of coelacanths, including freshwater ones. However, the ones that survived remained in the deep sea. They have lived in the deep sea without changing their shape for millions of years. Currently, they are classified as Class I in the Washington Convention, so frozen specimens can only be seen at our museum. There are only two of these in the world, so you'll want to see them. In addition, at the restaurant at "Minato Yasusanbanchi" where the deep sea aquarium is located, you can enjoy dishes made with fresh deep-sea fish landed at Numazu Port. It used to be said that it was of low value, but with the Deep Sea Aquarium and "Minato 83," Numazu's recognition as a "deep sea city" has increased, and now you can eat at various restaurants in Numazu Port. Now you can. As a result, the price of the auction has increased, which is good for fishermen and the fish market, and is leading to the revitalization of the region." It is an attractive spot filled with not only the fun of deep-sea creatures but also a sense of community.