While the serious poor catch of Pacific saury continued, at Hanasaki Port in Nemuro City, Hokkaido, on the morning of the 18th, a small boat for the main fishing net fishing returned and landed the first catch.

The catch was only about 260 kilograms, which was quite high at auction, and was sold at 50,000 yen per kilogram, more than five times the price of last year.

Around 6:30 a.m. on the 18th, a small fishing boat with a stick seine that left for fishing on the 10th of this month returned to Hanasaki Port in Nemuro City, which has landed the largest amount of Pacific saury in Japan for 12 consecutive years, and returned to the North Pacific Ocean. I caught the first saury caught in the high seas.



The amount of saury landed was about 260 kilograms, less than one-tenth of last year's first landing at Hanasaki Port.



A fisherman in his 30s on a fishing boat said, "Although the amount was small, it was a good start. I have high hopes for the future. It's low in fat, so I'd like you to eat it as sashimi."

In the auction that followed, the highest price was 50,000 yen per kilogram, more than five times the price of the first catch at Hanasaki Port last year.



This year, due to the deterioration of Japan-Russia relations, there were concerns about passing through the exclusive economic zone claimed by Russia when heading to the fishing grounds of the high seas, but the fishing boat that landed on the 18th was Although it partially passed through the exclusive economic zone, it was not subject to inspection by the Russian side.



On the 20th, the ban on fishing with large vessels will be lifted for saury stick net fishing in the North Pacific.

Fresh fish shop in Nemuro City "Price of deficit preparedness"

At fresh fish shops in Nemuro City, freshly landed Pacific saury were immediately lined up on the shelves in the morning.



At this store, it was sold at 300 yen per saury, a reasonable price for the first time, under the name of "Saury boat support price".



A male tourist in his 50s from Nagoya said, "The saury looks beautiful and looks delicious. At this price, you can buy it."



Mr. Masahide Asano, president of the fresh fish store, said, ``There is no point in selling leftovers, so the price is prepared for a loss.