An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team conducted an ocean survey off Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, after the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The team caught fish, including horse mackerel and sea bream, which were landed at a fishing port in Iwaki, Fukushima for testing. Samples will be analyzed by the IAEA and research organizations in Japan, China, South Korea, and Switzerland to measure radioactive material concentrations.
The IAEA will compare and evaluate the results to ensure reliability. This survey follows a similar one conducted last year by the IAEA and third-party countries to examine marine products off Fukushima. The Chinese government announced plans to resume imports of Japanese fishery products if the IAEA expands its monitoring scope and confirms safety.
However, the timing for China to lift its import ban, put in place last year after the initial treated water release into the Pacific, remains uncertain. Fisheries Agency officials stress the safety of Japanese fishery products and hope for international understanding of the thorough monitoring process.
Iwaki, Fukushima Pref. –