Japan Press Weekly

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2013 March 13 - 19 [OKINAWA]

Henoko fishermen want no more bases in fishing grounds

Three local fisheries cooperatives in Okinawa’s Henoko district on March 16 held a rally to oppose the construction of a new military base in their fishing grounds, as the Defense Ministry is seeking the Okinawa governor’s consent within this month for the construction-associated reclamation work.

Unlike the Nago fisheries cooperative which had agreed to allow the work, about 150 fishermen massed in Ginoza Fishing Port under the joint banner of the Ginoza, Kin, and Ichikawa fisheries cooperatives.

The Japanese and U.S. governments are planning to construct a new U.S. military airfield in the sea off the Henoko district of Nago City as a replacement for the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma air base in Ginowan City.

The fishing rights of the three cooperatives cover a part of the waters around Henoko, the new base construction site. Shiroma Seishun, head of the Ginoza fisheries cooperative, called on the participating fishermen to band together to firmly protect their fishing rights.

Leading the Ishikawa fisheries cooperative, Wakatsu Takenori said, “The planned reclamation work will cause red soil outflow, sea pollution, and a decline in fish catches. Let us defend our sea of beauty and tranquility for the sake of our children and grandchildren!”

A young fisherman said, “When military aircraft fly overhead, the fish catch decreases. I’m definitely opposed to the construction of a base because I want young fishermen to be able to continue engaging in fishing here.”