Okhotsk Scallops and Crabs: Nature’s Blessings and the Treasures of Snow Country Tales! 

Kazuyoshi Yamazaki, Maruuriko Sanwa Fisheries  

The challenge lies in comprehending nature and the significance of making judgments based on previous experiences.   

The drift ice of Okhotsk comes right up to the shores. When the ice reaches the shore, it brings with it various forms of life. To explain step by step, first, the so-called nutrients, such as plankton and other food sources, come with the ice. Following these nutrients, other organisms arrive with the drift ice. For example, migratory fish pass through the area, and hairy crabs and scallops receive the benefits beneath the ice. Both crabs and scallops grow larger from the nutrients present there. 

Particularly, scallops have a unique characteristic of storing energy once a year. In other words, Okhotsk scallops gain nutrients from the natural forces accompanying the drift ice, making them uniquely nutritious compared to other fishing grounds. This is why Okhotsk scallops are regarded as special. We also feel this way through our work. 

About a month later, the scallop harvest begins. Since it’s natural, the flavor intensity varies with the season, and each year it never follows the same pattern. However, we can tell when it’s a good season because of our many years of experience in this field. 

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