Press release - March 12, 2005
Saturday, 12 March 2005 Henoko, Okinawa (Japan) – Today a flotilla of fishing boats and Greenpeace joined in a protest at sea at the proposed site of a new American military airbase. The proposed base would be built on top of a coral reef, destroying important marine habitats essential to the survival of the last remaining dugongs (sea cows) in Japan.
Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, and 28 boats with local activists, stage a flotilla, with a large 'dugong' on top of Henoko reef where a proposed American military base would be built across important dugong habitat. With the planned construction of the airbase, dugongs, which are one of Japan's cultural icons and protected animals, are about to lose their habitat. Greenpeace is working to protect the last remaining dugong population in Japan as well as to prevent the destruction of this important marine environment.
Flying ribbons of support from around the world, Greenpeace
flagship the Rainbow Warrior has been in Okinawa since March 1st to
intensify the campaign against the airbase. Greenpeace inflatable
boats joined local fishing boats, kayaks and a ten-meter long
floating dugong sculpture in the latest in a series of protests
against the airbase.
Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine is visiting Washington next
week, where he is due to meet US Department of Defense officials
and is expected to discuss American military bases in Okinawa.
"It is hypocritical for the United States to threaten an
endangered animal such as the dugong in Japan, while it protects
the dugong's close relatives, the manatees in Florida" - said John
Passacantando, Greenpeace US executive director during his visit to
Okinawa. "In the US, manatees are the focus of conservation and
nature preservation programs. How can we justify driving their
cousins to extinction in Japan?"
As the construction is threatening Japan's last dugong
population, Greenpeace is calling for the designation of a marine
reserve to protect this precious animal and its marine habitat.
"The waters of Henoko should be made a marine reserve, not an
airbase," said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Karli Thomas. "A marine
reserve would not only protect biodiversity, but would be an
investment in the future for Okinawa. An airbase would bring
destruction, extinction and opposition."
Today marks the 2,967th day of protest in Okinawa in which local
people have fought to protect a coral reef and endangered
animals.
"Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi this week reportedly indicated
that the airbase will not be built," said Junichi Sato, Greenpeace
Japan campaign director. "It is time for him to cancel the project
completely."
VVPR info: Photos/video available from Greenpeace International Photo/Video Desk.Photo Desk +31 6 29001162Video Desk +31 653 504 721