MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Radioactive fish lead to first legal limits for radiation in seafood

Ministerial spokesperson Yukio Edano said fish containing 2,000 Bq of radioactive iodine or more per kg should not be eaten.

High levels of radioactive iodine and cesium were detected by Japan’s Fisheries Ministry in fish caught near the Fukushima nuclear power plant this week. Japan has responded to the findings by announcing its first legal limits for radiation in fish and said it is considering a ban on exports of some marine products.

Authorities also communicated that there has been a tremendous surge in ocean contamination: radioactive iodine-131 has been found to exist at 7.5 million times the legal limit near the damaged nuclear reactors in Daiichi on Friday. On Monday, levels were down to 5 million times the legal limit, reports Business Insider.

After radioactive iodine of more than double that concentration was found in a variety of fish known as launce, a local fishing cooperative plans to impose a ban on the species.

Caught near the town of Kitaibaraki on the Ibaraki Prefecture on Monday, 1 kg of young launce showed 526 Bq of radioactive cesium, 500 Bq more than the legal limit and 1,700 Bq of iodine.

Authorities in the Ibaraki Prefecture advised residents to cease consuming fish. The government has since vowed to begin testing a wider area for contaminated fish.

Spokesperson Yukio Edano said fish containing 2,000 Bq of radioactive iodine or more per kg should not be eaten, AFP reports.

“As there is no limit set for radioactive iodine in fish, the government has decided to temporarily adopt the same limit as for vegetables,” he stated.

Radioactive levels in ocean waters are expected to worsen, as the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) this week began executing a plan to pour 11,500 tonnes of radioactive water into the ocean. The company also said a leak of even more toxic water could persist for months.

Local fishermen reacted angrily to the announcement this week and sent a letter of protest to TEPCO.

“We were notified about it... Can you believe it?” said Yoshihiro Niizuma of the Fukushima Fisheries cooperative.

Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano assured that the government would step up its inspections of marine products harvested in the affected area.

“The public has a strong interest in security and safety,” Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano said, reports Kyodo News Agency. “I want to show clearly whether there is an impact on marine products”. (FIS/MP).-