3 Years After Fukushima, Life Returns in the Sea

THE WORLD POST: …the first time after the earthquake, and the scenery had completely changed. “There is no color. The world lost its color.” The tsunami carried away all the vibrant, colorful fish and the beautiful sands that decorated the sea of Minamisanriku. All that was left was miserable rubble.

In the three years since then, the area surrounding the ocean hasn’t seen much improvement, but significant changes have been happening in the sea. “Ah! This is it, this is it, this fish here is the alectrias benjamini. The eggs are about to hatch any moment!” Mr. Sato said. This alectrias benjamini had settled in the barnacles. When the parent was ready for the eggs to hatch the alectrias benjamini vibrated its tail near the eggs causing the babies to hatch, and the newborn fish quickly emerge full of energy.

The grunt sculpin, the fish that changed Mr. Sato’s life, has also returned to Minamisanriku after three years. “They’re still very small. These babies grew up in this ocean after the disaster. I’m proud that they grew to this size. (speaking to the fish) You’re so lively! You’re swimming so fast!” … (more)

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