The sea off Wagu, a port in the city of Shima, Mie Prefecture, used to be rich in abalone, but the seaweed they fed on has disappeared. And changes to the marine environment are hurting the pearl business.
"Lots of abalone used to be taken. But now we can take only ear shells," said Kazu Yamamoto, 74, who has been diving for 60 years, as she set off for another catch.
Female divers 40 years ago used to compete with one other to catch abalone, pushing their way through the dense forests of seaweed the abalone used to feed on.