Fukushima fish still hard to stomach

Japanese fishermen are facing a struggle for their livelihoods.

An ABC report shows that many fish caught in the oceans around Fukushima contain dangerous levels of radioactive material. Damage to the nuclear plant by the Japanese tsunami of March 2011 caused the greatest single contamination of the ocean in history. While boats still go out to sea, their catches are withheld from sale and the fish is sent for analysis. “Of course I am angry with the nuclear plant operator Tepco,” Fukushima fisherman Akira Kaya told the ABC. “It’s because I am a fisherman, and I’ve lost all my income.” Fishing cooperative spokesman Takashi Niitsuma says in samples of fish caught 40 kilometres from the nuclear plant, just under a third have been above the contamination safety level. Last month, 15 bluefin tuna caught off the coast of San Diego in the United States were found to contain low levels of radioactive caesium 134 and 137. Mr Kaya says he thinks it is impossible for Fukushima’s fishing industry to recover in his lifetime. “Even if we do get back on our feet, who’s going to buy our fish?”   http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-06-25/fukushima-fish-still-hard-to-stomach/967258