Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant initiated the wastewater discharge operation at noon today. The Hong Kong government has announced an immediate ban on the import of aquatic products from ten prefectures in Japan. Additionally, local experts are urging citizens to consume less of three types of seafood.
Earlier, Hong Kong announced the prohibition of importing aquatic products from ten Japanese prefectures: Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama.
According to a report from Hong Kong’s Commercial Radio, all live, frozen, chilled, dried, or otherwise preserved seafood, seaweed, or sea salt harvested, manufactured, processed, or packaged from today onwards will be prohibited from entering Hong Kong.
Leung Mei-yee, Chairperson of the local Food and Environmental Hygiene Advisory Committee, reminded citizens that consuming sashimi daily carries inherent risks. She advised maintaining a balanced diet and being aware of the origin of the food.
Call to Reduce Consumption of Three Types of Seafood
Leung emphasized that citizens should cut back on consuming large fish, such as bluefin tuna, limiting consumption to once or twice a year at most. She also advised reducing intake of bottom-dwelling fish like flounder and filter-feeding organisms such as clams and mussels.
She explained that larger fish occupy higher positions in the food chain, making them more susceptible to various pollutants that could be harmful to human health. The seabed sediment can accumulate pollutants, and the pollution concentration is higher.
However, she expressed confidence that the government will oversee imports of Japanese seafood to ensure their safety for consumption.