Assessment of radiation environment in the South-Kuril fishing area and impact of radiation pollution on pacific saury in 2011-2013

Abstract

Radiation environment is assessed for the Pacific waters off Kuril Islands and effects of radiation pollution on pacific saury migrating through this area for feeding are evaluated on the samples collected by research vessels of Pacific Fisheries Research Center (TINRO) in 2011-2013 and processed in the specially equipped laboratory of this institute. Short-term increasing of the radiation background was registered in March 2011 only, and radiation pollution of the fish tissues was not detected. Obviously, the accident at the nuclear power plant Fukushima-1 had no significant effect on pacific saury. No threat to safety of the food made of pacific saury is concluded. However, a dangerous effect of the accident is possible for other commercial species of fish, in particular long-living ones that have repeated migrations through the waters adjacent to the power plant, as sardine and mackerel. These species aren’t landed by Russian fishermen now but their fishery can be resumed under growth of their populations in future.