FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Brett Loveman, Director of Communications
Mission Bluebloveman@mission-blue.org
Contact:
Mariko Abe, Chief, Conservation Division
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
abe@nacsj.or.jp

Japan’s First Hope Spot Honors Rare Coral Reefs and Dugong Habitats(HENOKO-ŌURA, JAPAN) – October 24th, 2019
The coastal waters of Henoko-Ōura in Japan are an understated natural wonder. The
tiny islands within these waters mark the northernmost point on Earth for blue coral(Heliopora coerulea) growth, where lucky divers can spot rare creatures including thelargest known colony of blue coral in the world (Heliopora coerulea). This unique coral
hot-spot powers a little-known but richly diverse marine ecosystem which holds morethan 5,000 species in its waters including 262 known to be endangered. Several new andpreviously unrecorded species have been recently found, and scientists believe there
could be more yet to be discovered.
It’s on Okinawa that the United States government has maintained military bases since
WWII, and now has its sights set on the waters of Henoko-Ōura Bay, also on the island.
Unfortunately, the beginning stages of moving the U.S. military airfield base is alreadyunder way. The process has been extensive: seabed drilling (surveys in preparation forthe main landfill operation) has been conducted since August of 2014, and actual
construction began in April of 2017. In December 2018, the landfill began.
Mission Blue is proud to declare the Henoko-Ōura Coastal Waters the very first Hope
Spot in Japan in recognition of the area’s significant biodiversity, its rare coral
populations and the fight to keep these waters and the life within it protected from theestablishment of the U.S. military base and future development through actionable
conservation efforts.

Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue, states, “There’s thousands of species in theHenoko-Ōura Coastal Waters, including the famous blue coral and dugongs (Dugongdugon). It’s important that people use their voices to question the need for the new
construction that’s on the horizon, as compared to the importance of protecting a placethat can’t be recovered once it’s gone. I congratulate the Champions who are bringing
attention to the importance of this area. If the Henoko-Ōura Coastal Waters can be
maintained and protected, it would be such a gift to not only the people of Japan, but of
the entire world.”
Mariko Abe, Hope Spot Champion, elaborates on her goals for the Hope Spot. “We want
this Hope Spot to be a pole for conservation, sustainable tourism and education. We
hope to pass on these values to subsequent generations.”
The Henoko-Ōura Coastal Waters Hope Spot encompasses 44.5 square kilometers and islocated along Okinawa Island, Okinawa prefecture, Japan, including Cape Henoko andthe islands of Abuōrujima, Nagashima and Hirashima. The islands of the RyukyuArchipelago in the Henoko-Ōura waters are situated at the world’s northern limit forcorals.
Surveys have discovered two previously unrecorded species of sea cucumber(Holothuroidea), and a variety of (unlisted and newly discovered) species of sponges(Porifera), ctenophores, sea slugs (Nudibranchia), and crabs (C. pagurus). Many of theseunlisted species have only recently been recorded here (11 of them have been
discovered since 2007), so it is likely that the biodiversity of the area is even higher thanhas so far been recognized. The seagrass beds to the south of Camp Schwab at Henoko
total an area of 173ha, the largest around Okinawa Island. All of the seven species ofseagrass identified there (NACS-J 2008, 2012), are Red-listed by the Ministry of theEnvironment as Near Threatened. Besides providing food for dugongs and turtles, these
seagrasses are known to be a vital habitat for larval stages of numerous other species.
From the point of view of biodiversity, this marine area is already recognized as one ofJapan’s finest; the Okinawa prefectural government has designated it as Rank 1 in its
policy for nature conservation, which demands the highest degree of conservation
effort, while the Ministry of Environment also selected Ōura river and the mangrove
forests in the river mouth as one of the candidate sites for a Ramsar Site in Septemberof 2010.
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment selected this place as one of its Ecologically or
Biologically Significant Marine Areas Identified by Japan. However, the Japanese
government has no intention of making these designated marine areas into nature
reserves. The Henoko-Ōura coastal waters is a prime example of this, as it is currently
being landfilled.

“We believe this new Hope Spot will establish the Henoko-Ōura Coastal Waters as aregional center for understanding and will promote the relationship among theenvironment, peace, and human rights,” Abe says.
Protecting the Henoko-Ōura coastal waters from further development of the U.S.
military base and educating the public about this monumental blue pocket of the planet
will benefit Japan and all of mankind for generations to come. We cannot replace what
is lost– the time is now to recognize and move to protect the world’s natural wonders
for their crucial role in shaping life on Earth as we know it.
About Mission Blue
Led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global
coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for aworldwide network of marine protected areas – Hope Spots. Under Dr. Earle’s
leadership, the Mission Blue team implements communications campaigns that elevate
Hope Spots to the world stage through documentaries, social media, traditional media
and innovative tools like Google Earth. Mission Blue embarks on regular oceanic
expeditions that shed light on these vital ecosystems and build support for theirprotection. Mission Blue also supports the work of conservation NGOs around the worldthat share the mission of building public support for ocean protection. The Mission Blue
alliance includes more than 200 respected ocean conservation groups and like-mindedorganizations.
About The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J)
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J), established in 1951, is one of largest
nature conservation NGOs in Japan and has been supported by 25,000 supporters
across Japan. NACS-J promotes conservation of endangered species and their habitat,building sustainable community by making the most of nature and expanding
opportunities for people to become part of nature, and guardians of nature.
The work of NACS-J is based on sound science and through comprehensive conservation
measures including advocacy, research, partnership, outreach, environment education
and actions on the ground in order to support our motto “Making A New Path For
Tomorrow, With The Power of Nature”.
Organizations Involved:
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
Dugong no Sato
Association to Protect the Northernmost Dugong
Dugong Network Okinawa

“No Heliport Base” Association of 10 Districts North of Futamai Society of No Base in
Oura Bay/Residents of Villages North of Futami
The Conference Opposing Heliport Construction
Diving Team Rainbow-The Conference Opposing Heliport Construction
Association for Protection of Marine Communities (AMCo)
Save the Dugong Campaign Center (SDCC)
Okinawa Environmental Network
Ramsar Network Japan