Local News

A large increase in the amount of Ulva pertusa algae (anaaosa in Japanese) in the Ariake Sea off Tamana, Kumamoto Prefecture, is covering the tidelands that are the habitat of local clams. As a result, the clam industry in the area has come to a standstill, and those who catch the clams say the problem has become a life-or-death situation. The clam season runs from March to early fall, but watermen from local cooperatives were able to harvest only one-third of their normal amount over a three-day period earlier this month on their first trip.