Reviving Fukushima Fisheries 9 and a half years after the earthquake and the nuclear accident September 24, 19:14

What do you think of when you hear the word "sea in Fukushima"?

"Radioactive material has flowed out due to the nuclear accident," or "fish are also contaminated."

Even if you know that you have resumed fishing, do you think that it is not selling due to rumors?

Everything was true, but nine and a half years after the nuclear accident, the current situation has changed significantly.

How far has the sea in Fukushima been revived, and what are the challenges now?

(Fukushima Broadcasting Station Reporter Shunsuke Goto Director Ryo Tateyama)

Now of "test operation"

Off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, where the Oyashio and Kuroshio currents collide, there are abundant plankton, and high-quality flatfish and flatfish called "Joban Expressway" have been traded at high prices.



However, after the nuclear accident, restrictions on the shipment of fish and damage to rumors continued, and even now, "test operations" are being conducted to check the evaluation at the shipping destination while adjusting the distribution volume.



The fishermen themselves continue to limit the number of fishing days and sea areas, saying that it is necessary to carefully determine whether there will be unsold or price collapse in the market.


Therefore, the amount of landings of the coastal fishery last year was about 14% of that before the earthquake, which is far from reconstruction, to be honest.

But when you look at the market, things are changing.



The price of flatfish (fresh fish) shipped from Fukushima Prefecture vendors to the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market had fallen sharply after the earthquake, but last year it was finally on par with the national average at the 1300 yen level.

It's not that the rumors are gone, but it's a big step.



Restoration of hardware such as fishing ports and fishing boats has progressed steadily, and landing was resumed at all ports last year.

In February, all fish species were confirmed to be safe and shipping restrictions were lifted.

I can't be motivated forever

Meanwhile, this September.

A new initiative has begun at the fishery cooperative in Soma City.

With the mainstay trawling, the plan to return the landing per vessel to 60% before the earthquake in 5 years has started.



We plan to expand the operating area that was previously restricted and to double the number of times we pull nets in one fishing.



Michi Takahashi, the owner of a trawler fishing boat, believes that this plan has important implications other than selling fish from Fukushima.



It is "to give young people experience".

At the Soma City Fisheries Cooperative, about 20 local young people have joined as successors just for bottom trawling, even in the severe situation after the nuclear accident.

However, it is said that there is a sense of crisis that it is difficult to convey techniques and rewards in fishing where restrictions continue.

Mr. Takahashi, Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative


"Every ship has crew members in their teens to 30s. I want to give them hope. I have to break down the form of test operation to move forward. No. It's been 10 years since the earthquake and the nuclear accident, and I can't keep up with it. "

Voice saying "I want to buy"

The recovery of the distribution industry is driving the increase in fisheries landings.

After the nuclear accident, we have steadily expanded the "sales channels" to shipping destinations nationwide that have been interrupted.

Koichi Shiba, president of Namie-cho broker "Shibaei Suisan", reopened in April this year.

We are reconstructing the processing plant that was washed away by the tsunami, introducing the latest equipment, and focusing on marketing.



At the beginning of the reopening, Mr. Shiba was worried about whether the fish in Fukushima would really sell, but the freshness was evaluated by business partners in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and the voice of "want to buy" was higher than expected. It is said that many people have received it.



Mr. Shiba hopes that fishermen will increase their landings in order to further expand their sales channels.

President of Chai Rong Fisheries Koichi Shiba


"I was worried about the damage caused by the rumors of our business partners, but I don't feel that much so far. Sales should increase. I want to increase it to about 80% before the earthquake, so I want more landings. "

Concerned about disposal of water containing tritium

The reconstruction of the fishery in Fukushima Prefecture, which has been undertaken by both fishermen and distributors, now has one major concern.

It is a problem of water containing radioactive substances such as tritium that continues to accumulate at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

Regarding this water that remains after treating contaminated water, TEPCO says that the tank for storage will be full in two years, and that it will eventually need to be disposed of.



In February, a national subcommittee said, "It is realistic to release water below the standard into the ocean or the atmosphere, of which the sea is more reliable." I have compiled a report.

If it is below the national standard, there is almost no impact on the environment and health, and it is said that even nuclear power plants nationwide release it to the sea.



However, fishermen are opposed to ocean release.



Kanji Tateya, the head of the Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative, has a strong sense of crisis that if it is released into the ocean, it will lead to new rumors and efforts to increase landings will also become a bubble.

Soma Futaba


Fisheries

Cooperative Kanji Tachiya, union leader

"What will happen to Fukushima's fishery when it comes to ocean release now that it is said that fish in Fukushima Prefecture are okay and eaten deliciously? Everything collapses. Even if it is said to be a national policy, it cannot be tolerated. "

Former fishing, not compensation

In March, TEPCO has indicated that it will accept compensation if it suffers rumors even after taking measures.

In fact, the fishermen in Fukushima are currently limited in landing, and the current situation is that the insufficient income is covered by TEPCO's compensation.

But that's not the situation they want.



Many fishermen hope that the normal fishing industry, where they go out to sea for big catches and earn their own money as they did before the earthquake, will return.

Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Kanji Tateya, union leader


"We want to regain our lives with our own strengths without being bound by compensation. We can live with our own strengths as soon as possible. I think the most. "

It has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The days of confronting the rough seas continue.

Fukushimahosokyoku reporters


Shunsuke Goto


2016 joined


through the police in charge, covering the reconstruction of the earthquake-nuclear power plant accident in South Soma bureau

Fukushima Broadcasting Station Director


Ryo Tateyama


Joined in 2017


Covers the current situation of the fishery reconstruction and the areas affected by the earthquake and nuclear accident