An intermediate wholesaler in Oma Town, Aomori Prefecture, was arrested on suspicion of violating the Fisheries Act for failing to report part of the bluefin tuna catch to the prefecture. I learned from interviews with investigators that
The police are investigating the possibility that bluefin tuna were handled through irregular routes in the summer in order to leave a catch quota in the winter when they are traded at high prices.
Tadaaki Nitta, 47, and Hajime Sasaki, 61, both presidents of intermediate wholesalers in Oma, Aomori Prefecture, conspired with fishermen to report bluefin tuna catches to the prefecture between July and September. He was arrested on suspicion of violating the Fisheries Act and was sent to the public prosecutor's office on the morning of the 8th.
Police are investigating whether the two reported catching close to 100 tons last year, but according to investigative sources, most of it was concentrated in the summer from July to September. about it.
Bluefin tuna is traded at high prices through auctions in the winter, when the body is fatty, while prices tend to fall in the summer.
Police are investigating the possibility that bluefin tuna were handled through irregular routes that did not involve reports in the summer in order to keep the designated catch quota in the winter.
Oma Town Discontinued handling of tuna as return gift for hometown tax
In the town of Oma, where tuna fishing is thriving, a set of Oma bluefin tuna red meat and medium fatty tuna was made as a return gift for the hometown tax payment.
However, the return gift was from an intermediate wholesaler in the town who was arrested on the 7th for failing to report part of the bluefin tuna catch to the prefecture. I stopped dealing with it.
According to Oma Town, tuna was one of the most popular gifts.
In addition, the town has stopped accepting all direct donations for the hometown tax donation, which the town directly accepts, because many return gifts come with the products of this intermediate wholesaler.
Regarding this response, Oma Town said, ``The implementation guidelines for the town's hometown tax payment stipulate that businesses that cooperate in the production and processing of return gifts must comply with the law, and in this case, intermediate wholesalers are required to comply with the requirements. It no longer satisfies the