Delayed Salmon Fishing Season Begins Off Hokkaido
Japanese fishers have finally started this year's salmon season off the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. The start was delayed by more than three weeks due to fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
At the port of Habomai in Nemuro City, crewmembers were busy stocking their boats with food and other supplies on Monday night. Four vessels headed off at midnight.
Drift-net fishing for salmon and trout normally begins on April 10 within Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Pacific south of Hokkaido.
Ahead of each season, Japanese and Russian officials discuss catch quotas and other operational details, as most of the salmon and trout originate in Russian rivers.
The start of this year's talks was pushed back due to the war in Ukraine. Japan and Russia finally reached an agreement on April 25.
The chief deckhand of one of the Japanese boats that left on Tuesday said he thought fishing might be impossible this year. He said he's glad he can set sail, and he's hoping to return with a big catch.
A total of 19 boats are due to take part in the fishing operations, including eight from Habomai.