Save the Tuna: Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima earthquake, and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the world continues to ponder a question extending beyond Japan’s shores: how can the international community balance environmental protection and economic stability? As radioactive wastewater entered the Pacific Ocean, there have been countless debates over the release of treated wastewater, which continue to trigger concern from governments, industries, communities, and individual households. In this Specialized Agency, delegates must convene in an essential emergency summit to discuss one of the most complex environmental challenges of the modern era. Now, in 2023, Japan has begun releasing wastewater back into the Pacific Ocean, immediately sparking international protests, bans on seafood, scientific debates on monitoring and transparency, economic consequences on fisheries, and of course, debates on how to save the tuna. Delegates representing coastal nations, fishing industries, scientists, and affected communities must navigate competing priorities, while confronting the extremely pressing consequences. From restoring confidence in global fisheries to developing frameworks for nuclear wastewater management, delegates will be challenged to create innovative, science based solutions, and face real-time consequences with numerous crisis updates. The future of marine ecosystems, the millions of people who depend on seafood, and of course the precious tuna species, rests in your hands.

*This committee features the following crisis elements:

• Crisis Updates

For any questions, please email the director at fukushima@markmun.ca.