Degradation of global environment has been under way rapidly by hasty increase of population and expansion of human activities. The ocean covering 71% of the earth surface has been playing specifically important role for maintaining of global environment, however environmental issues have also arisen in the ocean as degradation of marine ecology. Especially, coastal zone where approximately 60% of world population settled down have been sustaining huge impacts from diverse developments and human activities. On the other hand, man is to be dependence in coastal zone and ocean more and more to procure food and energy and to assure of living, culture, social and economic environments.
Since 1986, the TECHNO-OCEAN has developed as an exclusive International Convention in Japan for ocean affairs, where discussions and exchange of technical information on coastal and ocean space utilization and environmental conservation and restoration have been achieved.
In the sixth TECHNO-OCEAN '96 International Symposium, the main theme for "Sustainable Development of Coastal Zone", People from industries, academia and official world as well as from public are cordially invited to promote discussions on issues on sustainable development of coastal and ocean space and also to promote the exchange of information for creating properly symbiotic coastal zones with expressing sincere respect to people and their efforts for rehabilitating community from Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
I hereby hope that the TECHNO-OCEAN '96 International Symposium promotes vital discussions and active exchange of information for scientists, engineers and officials working in the fields of coastal and ocean affairs. I also hope that this symposium will propose motivations for recovering from damages of Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
