Disappearing Sandbanks

[Anchor Lead]

Sandbanks in the sea can only be seen twice a day when the tide is right. But sandbanks in the Yellow Sea that were designated as marine reserves are gradually disappearing one by one. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

A large golden sandbar appears in the middle of the Yellow Sea. Traces of ocean waves on the sand create a mysterious view.

[Soundbite] "Sandbars are formed when the waves transport sand."

Sandbars are treasure troves of marine organisms which can only be seen at low tide. They were designated as marine reserves for their high ecological value. However, their area, which reached 1.8 square kilometers ten years ago, has been shrinking every year.

[Soundbite] Chang Jung-koo(Green Incheon) : "Sandbars used to be wide and tall enough to block the view across the sea completely."

This is happening because of sand mining in nearby areas. Some 280 million cubic meters of sand have been extracted in nearby waters over the past three decades. That's six times the size of Namsan Mountain.

[Soundbite] Choi Jung-ki(Professor Emeritus, Inha University) : "Sand keeps moving into the numerous pits in the ocean floor to level it out. That is why they are becoming lower."

Permits for sand mining are to expire at the end of this year. But the government of Ongjin-gun County is considering issuing more permits for next year in order to secure funds. Environmental groups are demanding that sand extraction be suspended to prevent sandbars from disappearing within the next 20 years.