In recent days, thousands of dead fish have washed ashore on the northern beaches of Japan.
The city government of Hakodate and the Hokkaido Prefectural Government are investigating the cause and considering how to dispose of these thousands of tons of dead fish.
Dead fish covering the beaches of Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo: The Japan News).
According to the Hakodate city government, an official went to the scene upon receiving reports. He discovered tons of dead fish covering over 1 km of beach near the fishing port.
The Japan News quoted a 65-year-old local fisherman saying, “I have seen fish die from lack of oxygen offshore, but this is the first time such a large number of fish has washed ashore.”
Asahi Shimbun reported that local authorities estimate that at least 1,000 tons of primarily sardines and some mackerel have washed up, but this number could be even higher.
The local government confirmed it will work with fishermen to clean up the area starting December 9. The city of Hakodate warned residents not to eat the dead fish washed ashore. They also should not be used as fish feed or fertilizer.
A local resident collecting dead fish on the beach in Hakodate, Hokkaido on December 7. (Photo: Hokkaido Television)
The option of incineration is being considered, but collecting this massive number of dead fish is a challenge.
Mr. Takashi Fujioka, an expert from the Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute under the Hokkaido Research Organization, stated that the fish are primarily Japanese sardines measuring between 15 cm and 22 cm and Japanese mackerel ranging from 27 cm to 37 cm.
Mr. Takashi Fujioka commented to Asahi Shimbun that the school of fish was heading south towards the main island of Honshu. The fish may have died en masse due to being preyed upon by larger fish or being caught in a cold water area. This dead fish is believed to be due to oxygen depletion, but the exact cause of this depletion remains unclear.
The specific cause of the incident has yet to be determined.
