Image: Metropolis JapanJapan’s ‘women of the sea’ dive without oxygen tanksThe tradition dates back thousands of yearsAward-winning photograph by Kaho Wong, 2017An 80-year-old Ama became a symbol of the traditionWhat do Ama divers collect from the sea? Known as Ama, or ‘women of the sea’, these traditional free divers rely on breath-holding, years of experience and an intimate knowledge of the ocean. Japan’s National Tourism Organization says Ama divers gather various types of seaweed alongside shellfish and other marine products.Abalone has a particularly important place in the culture of the Ise-Shima region. They also have to judge weather and sea conditions before entering the water.Traditional fishing rules are designed to prevent excessive harvesting. Japan’s National Tourism Organization says there were about 9,100 Ama across Japan in 1978, compared with roughly 2,000 today.