KUMAMOTO -- The Kumamoto Prefectural Government began work Aug. 21 to remove nets from the mouth of Minamata Bay, put in place more than two decades ago to prevent mercury-contaminated fish from leaving the bay and spreading disease.

The approximately 70 million yen net-removal project, expected to be completed by the end of September, began after Kumamoto Gov. Joji Fukushima declared last month that fish in the bay are no longer contaminated with mercury and, therefore, safe to eat.

The Minamata Fishery Cooperatives agreed to the plan to remove the net and work began near Koiji Island.