Fukushima treated water release and marine sports.

Introduction: This study examined behavioral intentions toward marine sports participation among South Koreans in the context of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant treated water discharge. Methods: Data were collected from 250 marine sports participants over 6 days beginning on September 6, 2023, and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Results: Attitudes toward marine sports did not significantly influence behavioral intentions, leading to the rejection of Hypothesis 1. In contrast, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control positively influenced behavioral intentions, supporting Hypotheses 2 and 3. Furthermore, subjective norms positively influenced attitudes, while perceived knowledge positively influenced both attitudes and subjective norms, supporting Hypotheses 4-6. In addition, perceived psychological risk negatively influenced attitudes and behavioral intentions, supporting Hypotheses 7 and 8. Discussion: These findings suggest that although attitudes alone may not directly determine behavioral intentions toward marine sports participation under environmental uncertainty, social influence, perceived control, perceived knowledge, and psychological risk play important roles in shaping behavioral responses. By incorporating perceived knowledge and psychological risk into the theory of planned behavior, this study provides additional insight into behavioral decision-making related to marine sports participation under environmental risk conditions.