The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (JF) announced that about 4,000 squid fishing boats will suspend operations on Apr. 26 and 27 due to rising fuel costs brought on by the weak yen caused by the government’s “Abenomics” stimulus package. JF plans to visit the Fisheries Agency on Apr. 26 to demand subsidies for fuel. This is the first temporary suspension of fishing operations since the spike in crude oil prices in 2008. According to JF, an estimated 555 squid fishers in Nagasaki and 200 in Saga will join in the suspension, and they have asked 111 squid fishers in Fukuoka who are not members of the Federation to participate as well. The squid fishing season starts in Kyushu in the spring and moves northward as the squid migrate. Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 24
