Tuna Fishing

Maru - the inappropriately named

The Japanese fishing ship, the Fuku

of TTeh in the well at the time of the
"Fortunate Lragon" « had a few tons

first detonation of the CASTLE series.

‘The ship, according to her Japanese

master, was at latitude 11° 53' Nerth and longitude 166° 50' East, about

50 miies from the detonation. The gross fallout - which was chiefly partially
hydrated calcium oxide in all orobability, with a relatively small amount of
mixed fission products - contaminated the fish externally, out the fact of

this contamination was not appreciated until after the ship had docked at
Yaisu and the catch had been delivered to market. In a surprisingly short

time the fish were scattered in various municipal markets all the way to
Csaka. ‘The Japanese vigorously pursued the recovery of these fish as soon
as the contamination was realized, and I believe that all, or very nearly
all, of the fish of this cargo were recovered and destroyed.

The impact of

the press announcements was profound in Japan, and there was widespread

apprehension that a large portion of the entire tuna catch might be heavily

contaminated and deadly te persons coming into contact with the fish.

portions of the Japanese press pave some vbesis for these fears.

Some

I sent Mr. Merril idsenbud of the Health and (.afety Laboratory, New York

Operations Office, to Tokyo on March 19 to assist in the collection of
specimens for radiochemical analysis with particular reference to the problem
of the Japanese fishermen. He was instructed also to look into the matter
of tne monitoring of tuna fisn orought into Japan, with especial reference

for these destined for exoort.

On March 22 I talked with Mr. James R.

Cribpett of the Food and lUrmg administration concerning the monitoring of

tune fish comin: into the United states, and offered the support of this
office and the dealth and safety Laveratory in such @ program to whatever

degree might be necessary with respect to both personnel and equipment.
They have been pursuing such monitoring at ali or tne ports of entry on
the ‘est Coast.

** Canned Tuna (1952)

Japan exported to UeSeie

Japan exported to other

countries

960,150 cases (li 7 on. cans per case)
123,930 cases
1,064,050 cases

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