Fishers' group decries Japan’s plan to dump nuclear wastewater into Pacific Ocean

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — A fishers' group has denounced Japan’s plan to release more than 1.3 million tons of nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) warned that the wastewater may damage the Benham rise, and may affect the country’s fisheries, especially during the northeast monsoon or Amihan.

“Kung matutuloy ang pagpapakawala ng nuclear treated wastewater at mako-kontamina ang ating mayamang karagatan, magbubunga ito ng malawakang sakuna sa lokal na industriya ng pangisda,” the organization said in a statement.

[Translate: If the release of the nuclear treated wastewater proceeds and our rich ocean is contaminated, this will result in a widespread disaster in our local fishing industry.]

“Tiyak na milyun-milyong mangingisda sa ating bansa ang mapeperwisyo ang kabuhayan bunga ng nakalalasong kemikal na pakakawalan sa mayamang karagatan,” it added.

[Translate: For sure, the livelihood of millions of fishermen in our country will be affected because of the toxic chemicals to be released in the ocean.]

In a media forum, PAMALAKAYA National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said they are linking up with environmental groups and experts to study the ecological impact of radioactive water to marine environment and resources.

“Similar to many nations in Asia, we vehemently express our strong opposition to Japan’s plan to release more than 1.2 million tons of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean,” Arambulo said Saturday.

In 2011, a 15-meter tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing high radioactive releases.

The tsunami was caused by a magnitude 9 earthquake that hit east of the Oshika Peninsula in Japan.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, the plant’s operator, said the release of treated radioactive wastewater will free up space for radioactive water in its facilities.

It added that the plant's tanks are currently 96% full.