Government officials from Japan and Russia are arranging to hold fishery talks as early as Monday. These are necessary for Japanese boats to conduct salmon and trout fishing in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Observers are concerned that the bilateral talks may fail or stall as Moscow has reacted sharply to sanctions imposed by Tokyo over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Drift-net fishing for salmon and trout traditionally begins on April 10 in Japan's exclusive economic zone off its northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. However, this year the negotiations have been delayed.

Each year, Japanese and Russian government officials meet to discuss operational details before the fishing season begins.

Under bilateral agreements, Japan pays an annual cooperation fee to Russia. This is because most of the salmon and trout caught in the ocean originate in Russian rivers.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea says a country that is home to a river where fish spawn has the primary interest in and responsibility for their stocks.

Boats planning to depart for the fishing season remain ashore in Hokkaido.

One fisherman said that everyone involved seems to have given up on this year's operations. He said the port would normally be busy at this time of year, but now it remains deserted.