Pacific flying squid season has opened in the waters off Hokkaido's southern coast, and the first catches of the squid were landed on Tuesday at Hakodate Port in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The contract price of the squid has dropped, due to a decrease in tourists because of the spread of the coronavirus. The price of about 2,200 yen per kilogram was less than half last year's level of about 5,200 yen.
The quantity of squid was same as last year, with 15 ships bringing back a total of about 800 kilograms of squid fresh enough for sashimi as part of an approximately 1,400-kilogram total catch. The average squid had a 15-centimeter-long body and weighed about 65 grams.
Fish brokers participated in an auction wearing face shields or masks as a coronavirus precaution. "I want many people eat these squid, which have good quality despite the low prices," said Nobutaka Hiramatsu, who is on the staff of Hakodate fish market. The season will be closed in January 2021.
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