It is common knowledge that radiation is carried long distances by marine currents and builds up in the sensitive marine ecosystems. When we understand this, it sheds a different light on the tons of highly radioactive water that continues to pour daily into the Pacific Ocean since the
tsunami of 2011 downed the Fukushima nuclear plants.
Not only does the radioactive waste pose a threat to the immediate population of Japan, but its effects are already being felt as far afield as the coast of Alaska, Canada and America as the Pacific currents bring in ever-increasing amounts of radioactive material.
So what are the measured effects of this radiation on fish populations? Are the powers that be turning a blind eye to the risks of marine contamination through radiation?
WHY IS THE THREAT BEING IGNORED?
The strategy to monitor marine radiation, used to this day, wasconceived in the late 1940s and early 1950s and is now completely outdated. This monitoring strategy is flawed by its conception in the infancy stage of marine radiation monitoring and this is one of the main reasons why there
is so little information relating to the degradation of the marine ecosystems and the huge drop in fish stocks.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO FISH POPULATIONS?
Reports suggest that sardine populations are alarmingly down, as are other fish populations. And, if this is any indication, we can expect drastically
worsening fish stocks in years to come, aside from normal fish population decline due to overfishing and pollution.
