The catch of a fish that's one of Japan's most popular fall foods hit a record low last year. Hauls of Pacifc saury, or "Sanma", plunged as their numbers diminished.
About 29,500 tons of Pacific saury were brought to ports across Japan during the main fishing season from August to December.
That's down 27 percent from 2019, and the worst year since recordkeeping began in 1961.
The reduced catch saw the average wholesale price shoot up 50 percent from a year ago to about 47 dollars for 10 kilograms.
An industry group says the fish are declining in numbers, and fewer came into Japan's coastal waters last year.
