TOTTORI -- A 30-kilogram case of red snow crabs went for an average of 10,693, yen down 2,523 yen from a year earlier, at the season's first auction in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture.
Demand for this delicacy from the Sea of Japan appears to have fallen as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The fishing season officially began on Sept. 1, but a typhoon hampered the start of fishing. Snow crabs were landed for the first time Monday, about a week later than usual.
Early Monday morning, the No. 68 Ryotokumaru crab fishing boat from Shimane Prefecture unloaded 232 cases of red snow crabs packed with ice at Sakai Port in Tottori Prefecture.
"The size [of the crabs] is about the same as usual, and they seem to contain lots of meat," said Kohei Ishikura, 34, the boat's fishing chief.
The highest price for a single red snow crab at the first auction was 55,500, yen down from 61,500 yen a year earlier. The highest price for crabs for processing was 13,600, yen down from 21,000 yen.
The fishing season will last through the end of June next year. Eleven fishing ships each from Tottori, Shimane and Niigata prefectures are scheduled to unload up to 6,055 tons of crab at the port.
"Red snow crabs are characterized by their sweetness and soft, juicy texture. We want people to taste fresh food in the Sanin region," said Akinori Koshikawa, 58, chairman of a committee to promote crab fishing at the port.
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