. >> reporter: we meet ken bessler.obyl 26 years ago and now he's come here to help survey the damage. >> how long will it take to work through from the land to the ocean, the power plant into the sea life. and across the pacific. >> reporter: the government claims radiation from fukushima is contained in this small harbor outside the plant. but on expeditions into the pacific, bessler and his team of scientists say they med sured radiation linked to fukushima more than 70 miles away. some of that radiation is predicted to reach american shores early this year. the levels are expected to be very low. >> i think the fear of what's happening outside the local area is a bit exaggerated. for americans to worry about swimming on our beaches when i can swim here i think is overblown. >> reporter: what does concern him is how this unprecedented amount of migrating raildiation will affect the food chain. >> i try get as much as possible. >> reporter: some fish tested positive for radiation levels low enough to make them legally