Alaska's fisheries A-OK


Monday, April 18 2011
Unalaska, AK – Two weeks ago, the radiation levels in the seawater off Japan's coast were 7.5 million times higher than normal. But while fish caught near the Fukushima power plant should probably be avoided, the Food and Drug Administration is saying that Alaska's fisheries are fine. Thanks to the size of the Pacific Ocean and the distance of Alaska fisheries, the FDA says that fish caught here don't even need to be tested.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency continues to watch radiation levels here in Unalaska through a deployable monitor. While the island saw a spike in iodine-131 in March, levels were considered to be harmless and much lower than the threshold for concern for the EPA. Levels have declined since then. To keep track of monitor readings, go to EPA.gov.