Local News

With the problem of poor color plaguing the current crop of frozen net nori in the Ariake Sea, water from the Matsubara and Shimouke Dams in Hita, Oita Prefecture, was released as an emergency measure from January 29 to February 2. The step was taken at the request of maritime industry groups in Saga and Fukuoka prefectures. The discoloration, in which the nori turns a tan color, is the result of a lack of nutritional salt required for raising the seaweed. Some growers have had to remove nets for cultivation they already placed in the sea.