Japan sells first Fukushima seafood since nuclear crisis

Seafood caught off the coast of Japan's Fukushima region has been put on sale for the first time since last year's nuclear crisis.

The sale was limited to octuopus and marine snails, as other species cannot be sold yet because of contamination.

The catch was sold at reduced prices in markets across the prefecture.

The earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan's northeastern coastlines and caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear facility.

Hirofumi Konno, an official in charge of sales at the fishing co-operative in Soma city, said many people had bought the produce to show their support for the industry.

"I was filled with both uncertainty and hope today, but I was so happy when I found out the local supermarket had sold out by 3pm," he told the Associated Press.