Last week the diving team “Rainbow” surveyed on the condition of coral in the Oura Bay. The focused survey point called “Chiribishi” is the area that is known with the presence of colonies of diverse species of corals including blue coral and green coral. Although there were no drastic change found over all, coral bleachings, a phenomenum revealing the coral is dying, were confirmed here and there (See photo). Osamu Makishi, a diver who have been diving in the Oura Bay for years, expressed his regret by saying “only 50 % of coral is healthy. They have been much weakend when compared to several months ago.” He added that as green coral is especially resilient if the water quality and water temperature are right, “corals could recover if the construction would be stopped.”
(In front of Camp Schwab Gate)
Under the intermittent drizzling, about 40 people joined sit-in. Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus rallies have been canceled one after another also in Okinawa. However, here at Henoko people are determined. As far as the dump trucks working for the construction of the new base are coming, they cannot look away. Today again they did sit-in protest to express their opposition. Three deliveries happened in the morning and the afternoon. Total 173 trucks entered through the gate.
(The action at sea in Oura Bay)
Our 2 protest boats went out to sea to monitor the construction site. We found out that an unusual work was being operated on the beach 200 meters away from the K9 Seawall. Their sign said “Preparing for egg-laying site for sea turtles.” In response, the captain of a protest boat told us: “I have never witnessed any sea turtles around this beach. Are they consulting with the specialists? I cannot expecct that sea turtles would return here.” Although the Department of Defense has kept saying to do their best to preserve the environtment, anyone can easily understand that the sea would be fatally damaged, if 20 million cubic meters of earth and sand would be thrown in it. The current construction of the egg-laying site for sea turtles is just a fake pose by the DOD to hypocritically appeal that they are taking care of the environment.
(Ryukyu Cement Awa Pier)
Protest were held both at the entrance and the exit. 10 vehicles by the GoGo Drive members joined to delay the dump trucks. 535 truckloads of earth and sand were brought in from the quarry. 502 truckloads of earth and sand piled at the temporary storage area were loade on 3 cargo ships.
(Shiokawa Pier at Motobu Town)
Whenever a bunch of courageous Shimagurumi Uruma members shows up, the delivery work would stop. Today again they blocked the dump trucks bringing in earth and sand from 7:30 am until 8:50 when the riot police eventually arrived. Even after that a dozen of them kept protesting against the trucks. 350 truckloads of earth and sand were loaded on 2 cargo ships.
number of dump trucks to date and percentage against the total
The weight and the volume of earth/soil were estimated per experts’ advice
Number of dump trucks which made delivery from December 2018 to the end of December 2019 114,601(1.68%)
| 7（Sat） | 9（Mon） | 10（Tue） | 11（Wed） | 12（Thr） | 13（Fri） | |
| Awa | 625 | 502 | ||||
| Shiokawa | 0 | 350 |
| Number of dump trucks ※ |
Weightt of earth/sand
※① |
Converted to volume
※② |
Volume per Total
※③ |
| 154,553 | 927,318ｔ | 463,659㎥ | 2.249% |
