Fisheries in Iwaki after the Fukushima Dai'ichi nuclear accident: lessons for coastal management under conditions of high uncertainty?

Mabon, Leslie; Kawabe, Midori

Abstract

This article evaluates factors driving perception of risk and uncertainty in fisheries in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, following the Fukushima Dai'ichi nuclear accident. Particular attention is paid to lessons that may be learned for managing uncertainties and risks in coastal management more generally. The 2011 accident has had profound effects on Fukushima fisheries. Commercial coastal fisheries have been stopped since, and efforts to understand and monitor the effects of marine radioactive contamination on produce from the sea continue. Small-scale trial fisheries have, however, re-commenced with a view to gradually re-starting Fukushima fisheries over time. Drawing on in-depth interviews, discussion groups, and field observations from Iwaki and Fukushima Prefecture more widely, three factors are discussed: the role of trusted local-level points of contact; the value of transparent monitoring and screening that acknowledges remaining limitations and uncertainties; and the importance of taking seriously the cultural dimensions of rapid and potentially irreversible environmental change.

Citation

MABON, L. and KAWABE, M. 2015. Fisheries in Iwaki after the Fukushima Dai'ichi nuclear accident: lessons for coastal management under conditions of high uncertainty? Coastal management [online], 43(5), pages 498-518. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2015.1051425

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 17, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Oct 14, 2015
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 8, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 15, 2016
• Journal: Coastal management
• Print ISSN: 0892-0753
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-0421
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 498-518
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2015.1051425
• Keywords: Coastal fisheries; Environmental governance; Fukushima Dai'ichi nuclear accident; Risk communication; Stakeholder engagement
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1413