The government earmarked 152 million yen Friday to survey and protect dugongs off Okinawa and assess the effects of the planned construction of a civilian-military airport there.
The Environment Ministry will receive 115 million yen to investigate dugong habitats, the sea-grass beds on which they feed, and the animal's genetic relationship to relatives in such countries as Australia and the Philippines.
The ministry plans to launch the survey around the end of February, according to ministry officials.