Sockeye salmon are being tested for radiation levels in response to Fukushima nuclear crisis

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      The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has revealed that it is testing locally caught salmon for radiation levels in response to "events in Japan".

      In a question-and-answer sheet distributed to various media outlets, including the Georgia Straight, Canada's food regulator stated that the examination of local fish "has been planned for some time".

      "These sampling and testing activities are currently underway and will be carried out through August and September," the agency said. "The timing of this initiative reflects the availability of the fish—British Columbia salmon fisheries were not active in March, at the time of the events in Japan."

      The federal government often refers to the reported meltdown of three nuclear reactors in Fukushima as "the events in Japan", rather than using more descriptive language. However, the words "nuclear crisis" appeared once in today's statement.

      The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not made a spokesperson available for comment. The question-and-answer sheet was made available a day after the Georgia Straight quoted fisheries biologist Alexandra Morton calling for the testing of sockeye salmon.

      “There was a large release of radioactive material in the water and in the air,” Morton told the Straight earlier this week. “I suspect that this generation of sockeye were out of the way, probably on their way home. But my sense of this is we need to test everywhere we can."

      The CFIA stated that fish and shellfish "are not expected to be impacted by the situation in Japan".

      "Nonetheless, as a prudent measure to reaffirm the safety of this important commodity for both domestic and export markets, samples of domestically caught salmon from British Columbia will be tested to verify that the fish remains safe for consumption," the agency declared. "Health Canada will support the testing and analysis of these samples. Health Canada will also continue its radiation monitoring and surveillance activities at stations across the country in strategic locations and major population centres."

      It also stated that no "harmful levels of radiation" have been detected in air quality, domestic milk, and foods imported from Japan.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Geordan

      Aug 19, 2011 at 8:46pm

      Good reporting GS. Keep following up with this story and we will keep reading. Nobody else is reporting this stuff properly!

      9 9Rating: 0

      what are we going to do about it?

      Aug 19, 2011 at 11:23pm

      It is certainly worrisome. Unless, we start to vote for parties which don't put the economy above the planet, how will things ever change?

      Canada isn't going to stop its uranium mining any time soon. If you voted for Harper, you're part of the problem and not part of the solution.

      9 8Rating: +1

      Sheep

      Aug 20, 2011 at 11:00pm

      It's unlikely that the vast Pacific Ocean has deadly increased levels of Radiation.

      You should be more concerned with the Rads from your Dentist shooting X-Rays into your Head and the RF Radiation Micro-Waving your Brain [for those that have one] giving you Brain Cancer.

      Testing is fine and should be routine.

      By the way all you scared people should be more concerned about Mad Cow, so enjoy that Burger at the Mega Corp, profit first Corporations, huge franchise type outfits & the rendered crap Burger meat at your local Supermarket.

      Meat Supply is being cut even more by the Federal Government because they are owned by Big Corporate interests and the responsibility is being passed onto Provincial Governments.

      So you can bet your ass that Alberta will follow Ralph's advice if they find more MAD COW DISEASE, keep it quite and bury it deep, words to that effect.

      MAD COW Disease...

      Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad-cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. BSE has a long incubation period, about 30 months to 8 years, usually affecting adult cattle at a peak age onset of four to five years, all breeds being equally susceptible.
      March 29, 2005: Federal government announces $321 million in immediate assistance to cattle ranchers and other animal producers.

      Sept. 10, 2004: Federal government gives $488 million in aid to cattle producers.

      March 22, 2004: Federal government releases $680 million in mad cow relief to cattle farmers.

      June 19, 2003: Federal government announces $190 million in BSE compensation and pledges to spend $30 million on excess beef. The joint federal-provincial aid program totals $460 million.

      8 5Rating: +3