In Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, which boasts one of the largest catches in Japan, a large fleet of Pacific saury departed for this season's fishing on the 17th, as severe saury fishing has continued for the past few years.
Six large saury fishing boats owned by the local fishery company "Kamada Fisheries" departed from Ofunato fishing port.
A ceremony was held prior to the departure of the port, and Mr. Takehide Masai, the chief fisherman of the ship, stated his determination, "The crew will work together to aim for a big catch."
All the crew members had been vaccinated as an infection control measure, so they left the port while being sent off by their families.
The ban on saury fishing by large vessels will be lifted on the 20th of this month, and the fleet will operate in the North Pacific Ocean based at the Hanasaki fishing port in Nemuro City, Hokkaido.
In addition to the decrease in the amount of resources of saury, the number of fish that come to the sea near Japan is decreasing due to the rise in seawater temperature, and the fishing grounds are far away.
Even at Ofunato Fishing Port, which boasts one of the largest catches in Japan, last year it was about 6200 tons, which was even lower than the record poor catch of 6400 tons.
Kazuaki Kamada, chairman of the fishery company, said, "It seems that a flock of saury is coming to the sea near Japan more than last year, and I would like to expect a big catch. I want to provide many saury to people all over the country at a low price." increase.