Japanese fishery officials are welcoming the return of large sauries this season after years of poor, smaller catches of the fish, a delicacy enjoyed in Japan during summer and autumn.

On Aug. 10, large ships left port to kick off this season's fishing operations, 10 days earlier than in an average year. Sauries are mainly landed in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region.

"Large sauries are being caught this season," says a local industry official.