The fishing season for firefly squid began on Friday in Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan coast.

Two fishing boats set sail from the port of Mizuhashi before 2 a.m. after three of five nets damaged by the January 1 earthquake had been repaired.

The fishers retrieved the nets that had been set out about 1 kilometer offshore to trap the tiny firefly squid, which have a bluish-white glow.

A local fisheries association says the day's haul was 432 kilograms. It said that was larger than the initial catches made last year and the year before.

The firefly squid fetched around 6,000 yen, or about 40 dollars, per kilogram.

The head of the fisheries association said he hopes the nets at the remaining two locations will be repaired as soon as possible. He also said he wants people to enjoy eating the seasonal products.

The season in Toyama Bay peaks between late March and the end of April.

Members of the association are trying to finish repairing the remaining nets by late March. It is expected to cost more than 530,000 dollars to repair all the nets, and that is a heavy financial burden on the association.