Effects of radioactive contamination by Fukushima nuclear accident on hunting and wildlife management, with emphasis on wild boar management

• Ueda Gouhei

  Wildlife Research & Consulting Services Ltd.

• Takahashi Mitsuhiko A.

  Faculty of Human Development, University of Toyama

• Sasaki Chie

  Miyagi Prefectural Forestry Technology Institute

• Ihara Sadao

  Hokkaido University of Education Kushiro Campus

• Kodera Yuuji

  Center for Weeds and Wildlife Management, Utsunomiya University

• Otsuki Kota

  Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Fukushima Prefectural Government

Bibliographic Information

Other Title

• 福島原発事故による放射能汚染が狩猟及び野生動物管理に与えている影響～特にイノシシの管理に留意して～
• フクシマ ゲンパツ ジコ ニ ヨル ホウシャノウ オセン ガ シュリョウ オヨビ ヤセイ ドウブツ カンリ ニ アタエテ イル エイキョウ : トクニ イノシシ ノ カンリ ニ リュウイ シテ

Abstract

 In Japan, wildlife management relies heavily on private hunters. This study analyzed the effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 on hunters' activities and attitudes. A survey of hunters in 19 prefectures (mainly in eastern Japan) was conducted using a questionnaire in 2012 at hunter training sessions, which hunters are obligated to attend every three years. Of the 26,794 questionnaires distributed, 22,008 (82.1%) were recovered.  Our analysis showed that hunters' concerns about radioactive contamination of the hunting grounds were prominent in Fukushima prefecture, especially along the coast, and in parts of Ibaragi prefecture. Concerns over radioactive contamination of game meat were more broadly shared among hunters over a wider geographic range.  Results showed that hunters were avoiding hunting in several regions. A core area of avoidance was located in the Pacific coastal region of Fukushima prefecture. Significant declines in hunting activity were also found in the Nikko region of Tochigi prefecture and in the southern parts of Miyagi prefecture.  Expansion of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations has become a management issue. Therefore, hunters' concerns towards radioactive contamination of game meat may have adverse effects on wildlife management, as Sus scrofa has a strong tendency to accumulate nuclear radioactivity and hunters may avoid hunting wild boars even in lower risk areas.  As hunting remains the most viable tool for wildlife management in Japan, management agencies should take action to prevent the decline in hunting activity due to radioactive contamination, for instance, by monitoring radioactive contamination of wildlife, and then organizing the distribution of these data to hunters, thus enable them to hunt with lower risk and contribute to wildlife management through their activities.

Journal

• Wildlife and Human Society

  Wildlife and Human Society 6 (1), 1-11, 2018

  Association of Wildlife and Human Society

Keywords

• Fukushima
• Hunter
• Radioactive contamination
• Wild boar
• Wildlife management

Details

• CRID: 1390001288076208768
• NII Article ID: 130007496006
• NII Book ID: AA12670221
• DOI: 10.20798/awhswhs.6.1_1
• ISSN: 24242365
• ISSN: 24240877
• NDL BIB ID: 029269938
• Web Site: http://id.ndl.go.jp/bib/029269938
• Web Site: https://ndlsearch.ndl.go.jp/books/R000000004-I029269938
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • NDL
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed