The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan released large amounts of radioactive material into the Pacific Ocean, affecting marine life and the fishing industry. Over 300 tons of contaminated water spilled into the ocean, releasing over 93 billion becquerels of radioactive cesium. The Kuroshio Current spread nuclear particles around the world, exposing more animals and humans to radiation, which even in small amounts can cause cancer. Around 1,600 people were killed at the Fukushima plant and 16,000 across Japan, while over 300,000 were evacuated from their homes. Higher levels of radiation accumulated up the food chain, posing long-term risks to the ecosystem and human health. The fishing industry suffered over $3.5 billion in losses from prohibited

1. -11th of March 2011  Fukushima nuclear power plant
cracked open because of earthquake/tsunami
Fukushima
The effect of the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 on the Oceans
-300 tons of contaminated water spilling Pacific Ocean
-spilled 93 billion Becquerel's of radioactive cesium into
atmosphere/oceans Japanese government trying to cover
it up
-Ecological impacts = Kuroshio Current and Kuroshio
Extension spread nuclear particles throughout world 
affects more animals/people because even a very small
amount can cause cancer
-around 1,600 killed by Fukushima nuclear power plant
-16,000 people were killed across Japan
-300,000 people evacuated their homes
-Trophic levels = animals that are higher up the food chain (large fish, whales,
humans…) will digest an accumulation of radioactive waste  affects the entire
ecosystem and food chain
- Fishing industry = very affected because prohibited fishing in 61 kilometers
around area and over 150 meters deep  Waters in north-east of the Fukushima
plant = amongst the busiest fishing zones in the world  Half of Japan's sea-food
-legal limit of radiation in fish = 100 Becquerel’s/kg whilst levels were between 134
and 136 Becquerel’s/kg in local fish  treated as radioactive waste
-Fishermen make their money by cleaning up radioactive debris and catching a few
fish to bring to labs  has cost the regions fishing industry 3.5 billion $
-Has cost the government 250 billion $
-1,100 of the frail animals have become stranded and had
to enter marine mammal rehabilitation centers up the
west coast of America  only 100 prior to Fukushima
disaster
-Animals (dolphins, seals, fish…) suffer “beta burns” =
external sores caused by radiation  even polar bears in
the North pole were found to have these
Dead whales near
Fukushima
Beta burns on seal
flipper
-radiation levels of water around reactor = 10,000 times
higher than normal
Where Earthquake and
Tsunami occurred
Radiation in the Pacific Ocean
RADIOACTIVITY IN THE OCEANS
FUKUSHIMA AND MARINE/COASTAL LIFE
-Thousands of animals were found with dead deformed
and burnt
Even children next to the coast were found to be
deformed (Japan + America)
FUKUSHIMAS EFFECT ON FISHING
FUKUSHIMA SATISTICS