In a perplexing incident, thousands of tons of dead fish, including sardines and mackerel, washed ashore on a beach in Hakodate, northern Japan. The stretch of beach, approximately half a mile long, was covered with the stranded fish, prompting officials to issue warnings against consumption after locals began collecting and selling them.
While the exact cause of this mysterious phenomenon remains unknown, experts speculate about potential reasons. There are concerns that the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant could be linked to the incident. Takashi Fujioka, a researcher at the Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute, suggested two possible causes: the fish could have been chased by a larger predator, becoming exhausted and washed ashore, or they might have entered cold waters during migration and ended up stranded. However, uncertainties surround the details.
“We don’t know for sure under what circumstances these fish were washed up, so I do not recommend eating them,” cautioned Mr. Fujioka.
Massive number of dead fish washing up along the coast of northern Japan pic.twitter.com/xeCn4yv5xB
— DeepCoverPatriot☦️ (@samuelculper3rd) December 7, 2023
Following the fish stranding, officials were observed inspecting the site and attempting to collect the deceased fish. In October of this year, Japan released a second batch of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant, drawing criticism from China and other nations. The Fukushima power plant was severely damaged in 2011 after an earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
【カメラマンから】
午前中、市や道による手作業での漂着イワシ回収作業が行われました。２日目です。昨日より大幅に気温が低下した影響か、臭いはそこまで酷く感じませんでした(N) pic.twitter.com/ulBjMbCGfi— たまて函@【公式】北海道新聞函館報道部 (@tamate_doshin) December 10, 2023
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China had previously banned all Japanese seafood imports after the initial water release, accusing Japan of treating the ocean like a “sewer.” Despite Tokyo’s assurance that the operation poses no risk, concerns persist about the potential environmental impact.
