Contrary to initial predictions, the cleanup of Ushigafuchi moat at the Imperial Palace that began Tuesday yielded just two small bluegill, government officials said.
The Environment Ministry started cleaning the moat, which is about 1 meter deep, to remove garbage and nonnative fish species. The moat is one of 13 surrounding the Imperial Palace. On Monday, the ministry drained the water level to about 40 cm.
Clad in waterproof coveralls, five employees of an engineering firm commissioned by the ministry waded into the moat to start the cleanup work.