“The government neglected the people without providing any support,” fishermen and traders to face the discharge of contaminated water

No customers at Noryangjin Fish Market: On August 22, when the Japanese government decided to begin releasing the contaminated water from the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 into the sea on August 24, storeowners wait for customers at the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Mun Jae-won

On August 22, when the Japanese government announced that they would begin releasing the contaminated water from the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on August 24, fishermen and women divers who rely on the sea to make a living expressed deep concerns claiming that the worst situation that they had hoped would never come was finally before them. They said, “We felt helpless seeing the government unable to say a word at the decision by the Japanese government,” and urged the government for practical solutions to the damage they faced.

Wi Jang-myeong (47), who has been fish farming for two decades in Wando, Jeollanam-do, said over the phone, “The abalone farmers expect demand to drop and are rushing to harvest their abalones now. So the price of abalones keep falling.” According to Wi, many farmers said they would reduce the number of abalones they grow to half. He also said he had no plans to raise any new abalones beginning next year.

Wi said, “The fishermen are very concerned about how they are to survive since the issue of contaminated water will continue. We feel like we are really being driven to the brink.” He further said, “If the government clearly stated its opposition to the discharge of contaminated water, we would relax thinking our government is on the people’s side, but they just keep representing the Japanese position, so we can’t trust what the government says.”

Kim Yeong-cheol, the executive director of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, explained, “We will be able to confirm the impact of the contaminated water in the next 2-3 months,” and said, “Many fishermen are complaining that they are not receiving orders for Chuseok gifts, which usually increase around this time of year.” He also said, “No matter how much the government claims it is safe, the consumers can’t believe them. In the end, it is the fishermen who suffer the damage.”

Kim argued, “More than 80% of the people said they would reduce their consumption of marine products, but the government remains silent on support for the damage suffered by fishermen,” and said, “The best way is to make Japan stop the release of water as soon as possible. We, along with the Japanese fishermen, are currently reviewing a lawsuit against the Tokyo Electric Power Company.”

Women divers commonly referred to as haenyeo also let out a heavy sigh as they spend long hours in the sea. Yi (67), a female diver who has made a living by selling a variety of seaweed she harvests from the ocean for over fifty years said, “There are probably many other options, but why does Japan insist on releasing it into the sea and why can’t our government oppose? It’s so frustrating.” She voiced her concern about not being able to sell any more seaweed.

Kim Jin-o, the head of the Daehang fishing village in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, said, “The biggest problem is that the government failed to reach a national consensus with the people,” and added, “It is disappointing because it seems the government accepted the discharge of contaminated water for their own political interests.”

A, a seventy-something storeowner at the Noryangjin Fisheries Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul said, “These days, we don’t have any people at the fish market. I’ve made a living off this my whole life, and things weren’t so bad even during the Asian financial crisis. I really want to close shop.” She continued and said, “The lawmakers just make short visits for show. They don’t present any realistic solutions.”

Gim Na-yeong (39), a scuba-diving instructor said, “The people in Jeju all talk about the contaminated water wherever you go these days. Since I spend a lot of time in the water, it is true that I am worried about safety.” Gim is currently engaging in an underwater campaign with other scuba divers opposing the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima. She said, “We feel helpless at the government’s attitude and sometimes I wonder what I’m doing, but I wanted to speak out even if mine is a small voice,” and added, “We plan to continue the campaign every week.”