Checking tritium levels in fish

Japan's Fisheries Agency checking tritium levels in fish off  Fukushima Daiichi. Japan's Fisheries Agency is checking the levels of radioactive tritium in the first fish caught off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture since the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began releasing treated and diluted water into the sea.

The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, began discharging the water on Thursday in line with a government plan. The tests are being conducted on Friday by the Marine Ecology Research Institute in Miyagi Prefecture.

A special device is being used to analyze the tritium concentration. In contrast to the previous equipment, which required over a month to yield results, this new device can provide measurements in about one day. A researcher said the institute plans to conduct tests daily to bring peace of mind to consumers and fishers. The agency will publish the test results on its website as early as Saturday.