Around 1200 tons of fish were found on the Japanese coast. Local authorities have begun an investigation, trying to assure the public that the water discharge from Fukushima is not related to this incident.
In early December, approximately 1200 tons of dead sardines and mackerel washed ashore near the fishing port of Hakodate in Japan. According to reports, over a kilometer of coastline was covered with dead fish.
Local fishermen began collecting the remains, fearing that their decomposition could lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water. This, in turn, could seriously harm the marine ecosystem.
Some residents decided to use the dead fish for sale or for food; however, city authorities strongly recommended against this, as the causes of the fish deaths are still unknown.
Is Fukushima to Blame?
Social media and some media outlets began linking this incident to the recent discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
However, Japanese authorities categorically deny this connection, stating that almost all radioactive substances were removed from the water before the discharge, except for tritium. Tritium is considered to be virtually harmless to humans and animals, as it does not accumulate in the body and emits weak radiation.
Earlier this year, to demonstrate the safety of the water, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida publicly had seafood caught in the sea off Fukushima Prefecture.
What Caused the Mass Fish Death?
Scientists from the Hokkaido Research Organization suggest that the mass die-off may have occurred due to sudden changes in water temperature—an unexpected cooling of the ocean could have shocked the fish.
Another possible cause could be that large schools were driven ashore by dolphins or other predators.
However, the exact causes remain unknown. An investigation is currently underway.
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