一般財団法人　連帯　東北・西南　RENTAI　TOHOKU-SEINAN

Details of activity：Helping the fishermen who cultivate seaweed (shearing ropes used for rafts)

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（Mr. N ・Age:39 ・ Male   Tokyo resident)

Despite the fact that 850 rafts are to be made by the time seeds need to be attached for seaweed cultivation in autumn, only 300-400 rafts have been completed. Although the work was simple, involving cutting ropes for net spreading to a fixed length using a soldering iron, it was a great help for the small number of fishermen for us to lend our hand with this activity.

（Ms. A ・Age:60 ・ Female   Tokyo resident)

The fishermen of Katsurajima are comprised of about 90% who cultivate seaweed and 10% who cultivate oysters, and those who deal with seaweed are usually referred to as 'seaweed people'. Our work over three days was to help the seaweed people, and we participated in the production of rafts for cultivation. In good seasons during the cultivation period it is possible to harvest five times, the first three times of which are for seaweed, after which they are for seasoned seaweed and seaweed condiments. However a slight change in climate makes it necessary to go out to sea and harvest, otherwise the crop will be ruined, and therefore it is not possible to be off one's guard. The farmers feel that if they have even a small amount of income, they would like to purchase a drying machine and invest in the maintenance inspections that come with it.

（Ms. A ・Age:33 ・ Female   Saitama prefecture resident)

Details of activity：Helping the fishermen who cultivate seaweed (shearing ropes used for rafts)

Though the volunteer activities in Katsurajima aim to support people concerned with the fishery cooperatives and island residents, volunteers themselves can individually think about and then discuss what they felt as a result of their experience, and how to make use of these experiences in their daily lives and work. I feel that if they can maximize the feelings and thoughts they gained from this experience and materialize that in thier actions, it will heighten the importance of these volunteer activities.

With regard to the clean up of swimming beaches, I felt that due to the fact that collected rubbish can only be incinerated once in two weeks, and weather and sea conditions can cause the once-collected rubbish to be dispersed all over again, it would better to carry out this activity in a more organized way.

（Mr. I ・Age:34・Male   Tokyo resident)
 

[Situation of the island]

Seaweed drying machines (see photo) belonging to five fishermen were washed away by the tsunami. With one machine costing around 40 million yen, it is difficult to invest in new equipment, so they have decided to have joint use of the five drying machines that remain.

I felt that the work we carried out this time of cutting ropes necessary for raft production could have been done off-site. In other words if the rope and soldering iron are available, the work could done in Tokyo. Then, even those people who would like to participate in volunteer activities but cannot for various reasons, could participate in this type of work.

In fact, if we were to have people who can travel to the site take part in other activities, I think we would be able to increase the amount of help we can offer to the people of Katsurajima.

Details of activity：Helping with construction of rafts for seaweed cultivation; clearing the coastline

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（Mr.K・Age:47・Male  Tokyo resident）

While having the good fortune to enjoy weather that heralded the beginning of summer, we were drenched with sweat from our efforts and determination to clean up the coastline. During preparation of ropes to be used to make rafts for seaweed cultivation, we concentrated on our work in silence while imagining the delicious seaweed that would grow on the rafts that would be assembled using these ropes.
With only 200 rafts completed out of a total 800 needed, there is still a long way to go. However, the appreciation the fishermen showed for our efforts to help was impressive.
This small fishing village, abundant with the bounties of nature has experienced damage from last year's Chile earthquake, and now this year's major earthquake disaster. 'We've really had it' the fishermen would laugh, but behind their feelings to somehow move on, I felt that there must be an immeasurable amount of suffering and grief.