Firefly squid fishing was lifted on March 1, heralding the arrival of spring in Toyama Bay.
Firefly squid fishing in Toyama Bay opens on March 1st every year.
Every year, at Namerikawa Fishing Port, which has the largest catch in Toyama Prefecture, around 4:00 am on the 1st, six large and small fishing boats departed for set nets set offshore.
When the fishermen pulled up the net after arriving at the set net, they saw a pale white firefly squid with a fantastic light, several centimeters long.
On the 1st, morning fishing was carried out for about 2 hours with 6 fixed nets, but only 59 fish were landed.
According to Namerikawa Fishing Port, the amount of catches on the first day varies from year to year, but it is the lowest since 2008 when statistics are available, and it is a record poor catch.
In the bidding held at the fishing port after this, these 59 fish were awarded for 11,000 yen, which was a high price for the first day.
Kazuhito Mizuhashi, vice president of the Namerikawa Fisheries Cooperative, said, "It was a disappointing result with only 59 squid. Last year, the first day was 50 kilograms, so I'm very worried about this season, but if the water temperature rises, firefly squid will also come. I think, so I want to expect it in the future."
Firefly squid fishing in Toyama Bay reaches its peak from mid-March to mid-May.