About Us
Our Origin Story
![IMG_8387 IMG_8387](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_8387.webp?fit=640%2C347&ssl=1)
Churamura was established in the early summer of 2020, a response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism to Okinawa. Notably, there was a surge in turtle nesting activity, particularly along Uza Beach in Yomitan Village.
We implemented protective measures by installing fences to safeguard the nests. This resulted in a significant increase in turtle hatchings compared to previous years, attributed to reduced beach traffic and decreased marine sports activities in the adjacent lagoon due to the decline in tourism.
What began as the protection of these nests during our initial summer swiftly transformed into an island-wide movement and robust team of dedicated volunteers.
This evolution gave rise to the diverse range of programs that characterize Churamura today.
![seaturtle_festival_website_1 seaturtle_festival_website_1](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/seaturtle_festival_website_1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1)
Our Mission
Our Goals
- Conduct research to expand scientific understanding of sea turtles in Okinawa
- Build and operate a Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Yomitan Village
- Proclaim Zanpa Lagoon as Japan’s first Sea Turtle Sanctuary
With your support, this groundbreaking sanctuary will be situated in Okinawa. Explore our initiatives and learn more about our work to safeguard sea turtles.
![chura-mura-logo-and-turtle chura-mura-logo-and-turtle](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/chura-mura-logo-and-turtle-1.jpg?fit=2048%2C1152&ssl=1)
Our Partners and Sponsors
![OCPA OCPA](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OCPA.png?fit=238%2C238&ssl=1)
![YBCN YBCN](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/YBCN.png?fit=144%2C144&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner1 SponsorPartner1](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SponsorPartner1.png?fit=129%2C129&ssl=1)
![SDGS SDGS](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SDGS.png?fit=152%2C152&ssl=1)
![ACoC ACoC](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ACoC.png?fit=224%2C224&ssl=1)
![OLA OLA](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OLA.jpg?fit=208%2C208&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner2 SponsorPartner2](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SponsorPartner2.jpg?fit=274%2C274&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner6 SponsorPartner6](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SponsorPartner6.png?fit=570%2C304&ssl=1)
![RTS RTS](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RTS.jpg?fit=394%2C176&ssl=1)
![RWO RWO](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RWO.png?fit=240%2C112&ssl=1)
![OceanRangers OceanRangers](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OceanRangers.png?fit=218%2C217&ssl=1)
![OceanSupport OceanSupport](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OceanSupport.jpg?fit=434%2C178&ssl=1)
![MoAna MoAna](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MoAna.jpg?fit=358%2C362&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner3 SponsorPartner3](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SponsorPartner3.jpg?fit=186%2C186&ssl=1)
![MTS4N MTS4N](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MTS4N.jpg?fit=232%2C152&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner4 SponsorPartner4](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SponsorPartner4.jpg?fit=178%2C146&ssl=1)
![Uminari Uminari](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Uminari.jpg?fit=390%2C388&ssl=1)
![SponsorPartner5 SponsorPartner5](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SponsorPartner5.jpg?fit=380%2C378&ssl=1)
Our Memberships
![sea-turtle-rescue-alliance-logo sea-turtle-rescue-alliance-logo](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sea-turtle-rescue-alliance-logo.png?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1)
![ISTS-logo ISTS-logo](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ISTS-logo.webp?fit=1050%2C1050&ssl=1)
![seaturtle-association-japan-logo seaturtle-association-japan-logo](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/seaturtle-association-japan-logo.jpeg?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1)
![OCPA OCPA](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OCPA.png?fit=238%2C238&ssl=1)
![yomitan-logo yomitan-logo](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/yomitan-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1)
![ACoC ACoC](https://i0.wp.com/churamura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ACoC.png?fit=224%2C224&ssl=1)
Support Our Work Today
Help us to create the first marine sanctuary dedicated to the protection of critically endangered sea turtles in Japan.