Toshihiro Wada

Profile

I received my Ph.D in Agriculture from Kyoto University for research on spotted halibut, a rare pleuronectid flatfish in Japan. Currently, my research focuses on the radiocesium contamination in marine and freshwater fishes.

Main Focus of Research

• Mechanisms of radioactive contamination in marine and freshwater fishes
• Ecological studies of marine fishes and its application to stock enhancement strategies
• Ecological studies of marine and freshwater fishery resources

Fields of Research

Aquatic radioecology, Fishery biology and ecology

Keywords

Fukushima Prefecture, Restoration of fisheries, Radionuclides, Radiocesium, Fish ecology, Flatfish

Research Overview

Before the East Japan Great Earthquake that occurred on 11th March 2011, I was studying the ecology of flatfish species (spotted halibut, barfin flounder) and their stock enhancement strategies.
After the earthquake and nuclear disasters, I started research on radioactive contamination of marine organisms around Fukushima Prefecture. I have clarified that radiocesium concentrations in demersal fishes decrease more slowly compared to pelagic fishes (Wada et al.2013). I also showed that even in the demersal fishes, the level of contamination has dropped sharply after 5 years from the nuclear accident. I have also pointed out that Fukushima’s coastal fishery is steadily recovering (Wada et al. 2016b).

Beginning in April 2015, I started studies on the mechanism of radiocesium contamination in freshwater fishes. I have shown that the radiocesium concentrations in freshwater fishes tend to decrease more slowly compared to that of marine fishes, and that the contamination level of freshwater fishes is quite high in the area northwest of the nuclear power plant where a large amount of radiocesium was deposited (Wada et al. 2016a). Currently, I am conducting a collaborative research with Fukushima Prefecture to clarify the mechanism of radiocesium uptake and excretion by freshwater fishes. I am also conducting a field study of irrigation ponds near the nuclear power plant to assess the contamination level of fishes in highly contaminated inland water bodies.

A few words

The fisheries in Fukushima Prefecture were severely affected by the nuclear accident. There still remain many obstacles to be overcome before the Fukushima’s coastal fisheries can resume full-scale operations. Likewise, for the freshwater fishery, clarifying the contamination level in the area around the nuclear power plant and predicting the future situation is important for its recovery. I hope to contribute to the recovery of Fukushima’s fisheries through my research on the mechanism and prediction of radiocesium contamination in marine and freshwater fish species.

Personal Interest

Spotted halibut, Eating out, Drinking, Playing the piano, Playing tennis, Jogging

Curriculum vitae

2001

B.S. in Agriculture, Tohoku University

2003

M.S. in Agriculture, Kyoto University

2005

JSPS Research Fellow (DC2) of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

2007

Ph.D. in Agriculture, Kyoto University

2007

Researcher at Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station

2014

Senior researcher at Fukushima Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station

2015

Associate professor at Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University

2016

A committee member of the council for restoration of Fukushima’s coastal fisheries

Awards

2015

Young Scientist Award of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science