Vanuatu. Getty Image Bank
“The sea is our source of income and part of our lives. But I have no idea what Japan is preparing.” Charlie Malep (54), who fishes on Wala Island in Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, said this in an interview with the UK on the 4th (local time). He is one of the 2.3 million people living in the Pacific Islands who depend on the sea for food and income. Regarding Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, he said, “I have no idea what Japan is preparing.” They are selling to buy drugs,” he said. To catch fish such as sardines, he cast a net into the sea at 5:00 am that day, and in the evening he cast a fishing rod made of long twigs. Amid the countdown to Japan’s discharge of contaminated water, many people in the Pacific are not completely aware of Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water, and fishermen like Maleb are concerned about the impact of the discharge of contaminated water. Maleb said in an interview, “I don’t have any information (about Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water), and I want to know more.” said. “Next generations must also depend on our beautiful coral reefs, nature and sea creatures to live on,” he added. “This is a breeding ground for tuna and a migratory route for whales,” said Harry Parhol, who spearfishes on a coral reef off the coast of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. “Everyone in the area is concerned about (Japan’s) discharge of contaminated water. said. “We cannot endanger the marine environment and the people who depend on it,” he added. “We are not prepared to deal with the effects of nuclear waste.” The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a gathering of 18 Pacific island nations including Vanuatu, expressed ‘serious concern’ over Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water in January. Henry Puna, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, said, “Our people have nothing to gain from Japan’s (discharge of contaminated water) plan, and there will be many risks to the next generation.” We need more effort and dialogue for this,” said Eun. He added, “In particular, comprehensive international consultations with affected countries (according to Japan’s discharge of contaminated water) should be held.”
Radioactive material-contaminated water stored in a tank at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. AP Yonhap News
Meanwhile, foreign media paid attention to the final conclusion of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water “conforms to international safety standards” on the 4th. The United States (WSJ) has issued a ‘green light’ to the International Nuclear Safety Authority to allow Japan to discharge ‘slightly radioactive wastewater’ from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea despite fierce opposition from neighboring countries, including China. reported to have been turned on. The news agency reported that the discharge of contaminated water of ‘approximately the size of 500 Olympic-size swimming pools’ will begin this summer at the earliest. (NYT) quoted the results of a Japanese media poll and said that opinions for and against are divided even in Japan. Previously, Japan’s private broadcasting News Network (JNN) conducted a telephone poll of 1,207 people aged 18 or older across the country on the 1st and 2nd, and reported that 45% of the respondents supported Japan’s plan to discharge contaminated water, while 40% opposed it. have done Reporter Jo Yoon-young jyy@hani.co.kr
#Discharge #contaminated #water #Pacific #fishermen #scared.. #information
2023-07-05 03:16:22
