Radiocesium concentration of small epipelagic fishes (sardine and Japanese anchovy) off Kashima-Boso area

Abstract

  After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in March 2011, the National Research Institute of Fisheries Science (NRIFS) urgently measured the radiocesium concentration of 63 samples of small epipelagic fishes (such as sardine and Japanese anchovy) sampled by commercial fishery boats off the Kashima-Boso area between 24th March 2011 and 21st March 2013. Fluctuations of radiocesium concentration of fish muscle were synchronized with a delay from that of sea water near the fishing ground; radiocesium concentration in fish muscle reached a maximum of 31 Bq/kg-wet in July 2011, and then declined gradually. Radiocesium concentration in fish muscle subsequently indicated a low level in 2012 and 2013 (0.58-0.63 Bq/kg-wet). Compared to the ¹³⁷Cs concentration before the FDNPP accident, ¹³⁷Cs of fish muscle in 2013 was still approximately 10 times higher, whereas ¹³⁷Cs of sea water near the fishing ground in 2012 was approximately 4.5 times higher.