Key Facts
• July 30, 2025: Tsunami struck Kesennuma Bay, Miyagi, following an earthquake near Kamchatka Peninsula.
• Oyster farming rafts near Kesennuma Oshima, a major oyster farming area, were damaged.
• Some rafts were destroyed, with approximately five missing or submerged.
• Each raft supports around 25,000 oysters, many ready for autumn or winter harvest.
• Local fisherman Ryota Komatsu, 26, confirmed the damage after observing the scene.
• Tsunami currents affected both surface and underwater areas, causing significant disruption.
Summary
A tsunami triggered by an earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula caused significant damage to oyster farming rafts in Kesennuma Bay, Miyagi, on July 30, 2025. Kesennuma Oshima, a prominent oyster farming region, saw several rafts destroyed or submerged, with an estimated five missing. Each raft, capable of cultivating 25,000 oysters, was critical for the upcoming harvest season. Local fisherman Ryota Komatsu observed the damage firsthand, noting the disarray of the usually orderly rafts. The tsunami’s underwater currents exacerbated the destruction, impacting the region’s oyster farming industry.
