Fukushima fishermen will begin research fishing in June, hoping that radiation tests will eventually clear the way for them to get back on the water to resume their livelihoods full time.
Fukushima fishermen will begin research fishing in June, hoping that radiation tests will eventually clear the way for them to get back on the water to resume their livelihoods full time.The decision was made at a meeting of the heads of local associations, members of the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, on May 29.If no problem is found regarding radioactive substances, the Fukushima fisheries group will resume fishing on a trial basis in September off the northern prefectural city of Soma, and sell the catch.Fishing off Fukushima Prefecture has been suspended since the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant was damaged by a large tsunami on March 11, 2011.Research fishing will be carried out in waters more than 150 meters deep that are more than 30 kilometers northeast of the nuclear plant.Fishermen will catch “mizudako” and “yanagidako” octopuses and “shiraitomakibai” shellfish, which were found to be free of radioactive substances in past surveys, for about a month. The catch will then be tested for radioactivity after being taken ashore and then again after being boiled.