The Japanese Dugong is native only to the shores of Okinawa and is a prized creature amongst the Okinawans that herald the creature as a messenger of the Gods. These cultural treasures currently face many hurdles for survival. Seagrass meadows, the dugong’s food source, are only found on 10% of the coastline of Okinawa. Unfortunately, these meadows are threatened by terrestrial runoff, coastal construction, land reclamation, and possibly seaweed mariculture. It is estimated that only ten of these beautiful creatures remain. But, there remains hope for their future. If we can stop the current plans to expand the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma base into Henoko Bay, then we have a chance at saving these creatures.
For centuries these creatures have been heralded as sights to behold by wayward travelers. Many speculate that these creatures sparked the idea of the modern Mermaid. Though these creatures may not have the eternal beauty of the mermaid, they have been awarded the eternal gratitude of the Okinawans in their folklore. It is the belief of many islanders that the Dugongs brought their ancestors to the islands and continue to bring their Gods to the breathtaking shores of Okinawa from Niraikanai. They believe that the abundance of the sea is dependent on these gentle creatures and their religion presumes these creatures to be God-like as well. Native Okinawans also whisper of tales of the power of the Dugongs. It is their belief that to harm these creatures ushers in great sorrow to all inhabitants of the land.
Thus, it becomes easy to understand why these creatures have sparked such protest throughout these past twenty years. Many islanders believe that by not protecting the habitat of the Dugong, that they have ruined their ties with their Gods. Populations have waged devastating wars for far less, and yet, the Okinawans wage peaceful protests throughout Japan. It is increasingly disheartening the little sway the native islanders poses in U.S. military construction. In a world in which the people that inhabit the island cannot get their voices heard, it is foolish to think that the creatures they adore will ever be acknowledged. In this instance it stands to reason that these beautiful creatures are nearing extinction because the general public does not care about their lives or the lives of the people that care for them.
