Drawing the Sea Near: Satoumi and Coral Reef Conservation in Okinawa

"This is a fascinating, original, and important ethnography of how conservation can decolonize itself and the multiple benefits of doing so. In thought-provoking and clear prose, C. Anne Claus has provided a sympathetic and challenging account that will be warmly welcomed by anyone working with, on, or for conservation. It is especially interesting for anyone who wants to better understand how large conservation organizations like the WWF function—and change."—Dan Brockington, author of Fortress Conservation and Nature Unbound   "Claus’ book offers a most captivating and original ethnographic study that brings together several important topics that have hitherto not been put into dialogue, like the way different boarders - ecological, linguistic, social, sensorial- are linked and function as agents in the reconfiguration of human lives."—Contemporary Japan "Through rich ethnographic engagement with conservationists, and local practices that could be glimpsed through the beautiful interludes, this book is an invaluable contribution to scholarly efforts to decolonise conservation that, ultimately, draws the sea near to the readers themselves."—Ethos: Journal of Anthropology "An important contribution of anthropological ethnography to the studies of conservation and environmentalism. Concise yet enriching discussions of Japanese and Okinawan center–peripheral relations also make this ethnography an excellent case study and teaching resource for contemporary Japanese society and environmental politics."—American Anthropologist "The book’s clear prose offers an account of a case study that will certainly be engaging for many environmental scholars across disciplines. We are fortunate Claus made the ethnography personal - storifying it ensures that broader audiences are not deprived of the clear writing and important takeaways of Drawing the Sea Near."—Electronic Green Journal "In her new book, C. Anne Claus introduces some of the activities of marine conservation NGOs on the islands of Ishigaki and Okinawa. The result is an original, ethnographically rich, and convincingly interdisciplinary monograph of interest not only to environmental anthropologists and Okinawan studies scholars, but also to scholars working in development studies, political ecology, and nature conservation more broadly. "—Japan Review "The beauty of the volume lies in it moving beyond simply presenting egregious failures of transnational conversation, as such critiques are already well-documented in the literature, to presenting methodical, well-researched, and rich ethnographic detail that highlights the history of conversation and the need for equity and social justice. The author does so with descriptions and detail that easily conjure up the colours and flavours of the sea and local peoples. "—Anthropological Review