A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Aomori Prefecture when the tuna fishing boat, Second 28 Kōmyō-maru, capsized on the night of December 19, resulting in one crew member's death and the captain's body being found days later.
The boat, affiliated with the Aomori Fishing Cooperative, was manned by Captain Ryoichi Fujieda, 70, and crew member Yoshinori Sudō, 55. Both men embarked on their fishing trip with the hopes of hauling in valuable tuna for the prestigious first auction at the Toyosu market.
Concern grew when the boat failed to return at its scheduled time, prompting the cooperative to alert the Aomori Coast Guard. The authorities initiated search operations which continued through the night. Sudō was discovered unresponsive at sea and pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. He had reportedly been wearing his life jacket at the time of the accident.
Fujieda remained missing for two days, leading to increased anxiety among local fishermen. One fisherman noted how high the waves were, exacerbated by opposing currents and strong winds on the day of the accident.
On December 21, the Coast Guard confirmed the discovery of Fujieda's body on the northern side of Benten Island, approximately 600 meters offshore, laying face down on the beach. Family members were notified and identity confirmation followed swiftly.
Fujieda was not only revered as a skilled fisherman but also as the record-holder for the highest-priced bluefin tuna ever sold at the Toyosu market. During the inaugural auction of 2019, he caught a 278-kilogram tuna, fetching an astonishing 333.6 million yen (around $3 million), which remains unmatched.
The mayor of Ōma, Naofumi Nozaki, expressed the community's grief, stating, "About 3 billion yen bluefin tuna was caught, he was famous in the town. We lost a precious person," highlighting the impact of Fujieda's passing on the local fishing industry.
Members of the fishing cooperative gathered at the harbor, sharing stories of Fujieda’s legacy and discussing the dangers posed by the conditions on fishing days. Kazuyoshi Ohata, another cooperative member, reflected on his worries for Fujieda, remarking, "I hope he can be found somehow, knowing him since he was young." This sentiment echoed throughout the community.
Reports indicated the waters were tumultuous during the operations on December 19. One fisherman stated, "The currents and wind were against each other, and the waves were high," capturing the perilous nature of the fishing environment.
Fujieda’s contribution to the fishing community was not just limited to his record catch; he was deeply respected for his expertise and dedication to the craft. Upon recalling his joy when catching the legendary fish for the auction, Fujieda had once stated, "I was dreaming when I caught the fish for the first auction," underscoring the emotional connection he had with his work.
The Second 28 Kōmyō-maru was eventually pulled from the waters and taken to East-Tōhoku Village’s Shiriya Cape port on December 21. Investigations will ensue to determine how the tragic capsizing occurred, with the local fishing community likely to push for improved safety measures to prevent similar disasters.
The loss of Ryoichi Fujieda resonates deeply within Ōma Town, both for his remarkable achievements and the tragedy of this event. Discussions surrounding safety protocols and weather awareness on fishing voyages are expected to become more prevalent following this incident.
