Divers work to save Okinawa’s coral reef Published June 30, 2008 By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AB, Japan -- Staff members working for the marina on Kadena Air Base are leading the way in preserving Okinawa's sea life. The marina staff assigned to the base's 18th Force Support Squadron launched the "Chura Umi Coral Project" January 19 to promote the International Year of the Reef and make a positive contribution to the local community. "I met with the Marina staff to see what we could do to help promote the International Year of the Reef," said Ayako Kinjo, 18th FSS Outdoor Recreation special projects director. "So we partnered with Sea Seed, a coral farming company, to help replace some of the damaged coral in our local area." The project gives people the chance to improve local waters for future generations and many American divers have taken part in the initiative. "Our customers are donating their time and money for this project," said Charles Glas, 18th FSS Kadena Marina staff instructor. "It's a chance to do something good for the environment because as divers we don't want to see the reef go away. That would mean less diving in the future for us and our children." All U.S. military and their families are eligible to participate in the coral reef program. Divers of all certification levels, snorkelers and even non-divers have the opportunity to contribute to this environmental effort. \"We have several junior divers and teenagers diving with us and planting coral," Mr. Glas said. "You don't even have to be a diver to contribute. Non-divers can buy the coral from Sea Seed and we'll have a diver plant it for them." Coral planting is done over the course of two dives on the same trip. Each dive lasts approximately 40 minutes to an hour. During the first dive, divers find ideal planting locations. Coral is secured in place and covered with a protective metal cage during the second dive. "Our divers are good enough so they can complete the planting within one dive," said Ms. Kinjo. "But ideally it should be done in two dives, so there's no rush." Planting has been done mostly in the Chatan area, Ms. Kinjo said. "Sea Seed has done extensive research to determine what coral we can plant based on the indigenous coral in the area," she said. "Our goal is to eventually extend to Itoman and Yomitan." To participate in the program, people purchase coral for $35 and then pay a $15 diving fee. But it's not about making money. "The coral fee goes to Sea Seed and the diving fee goes to the boat captain for fuel," said Mr. Glas. "We're not making a profit with this project. This is our chance to help beautify our ocean." Certified dive masters accompany divers to assist with standard boat dive operations and all tools for coral planting are provided by the marina staff. "We really can't do this project without the help of our volunteers," Mr. Glas said. The success of the project is a joint effort of the marina staff, Sea Seed and all the American volunteers. "Sea Seed's slogan is 'Coral reef for the next generation,'" said Ms. Kinjo. "That's the goal we're working toward."