Feb. 07, 2023
Radioactive materials exceeding the voluntary standard set by the Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Federation were detected in sea bass landed off the coast of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture on February 7, and the federation has suspended shipments of sea bass.

According to the Fukushima Prefectural Federation of Fisheries, on the morning of March 7, radioactive substances exceeding the standard voluntarily set by the federation were detected in sea bass caught 8.8 km off the coast of Iwaki City at a depth of about 75 m. After a detailed investigation by a prefectural agency, the sea bass was found to have a high level of radiation.

Subsequent detailed examination by a prefectural agency revealed that radioactive cesium-137 was detected at a concentration of 85.5 becquerels per kilogram.

This is below the national food standard of 100 becquerels per kilogram, but above the standard of 50 becquerels per kilogram voluntarily set by the prefectural fisheries federation.

Therefore, the prefectural fisheries federation has decided to recall all sea bass landed in the prefecture on July 7, and to refrain from shipping until the levels remain below the voluntary standard for a certain period of time.

This is the first time that the government has voluntarily refrained from shipping sea bass since the shipment restrictions were lifted in April 2018, almost five years ago.

In January of last year, radioactive materials exceeding the national standard were detected in black sea bass caught off the coast of Soma City, and the restrictions on shipments are still in place.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/fukushima/20230207/6050021695.html?fbclid=IwAR0CP1j7m2tn7ApkcYR7ealeENsQigTgKXHixCh994n8rkqc9 jESkkyBuh4