In Photos: Trawling for 'god’s gift' in Sea of Japan

Fishermen gather inside a building at a port in Akita Prefecture's city of Oga, before they set sail to trawl for "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on Dec. 20, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A trawler is seen leaving Wakimoto Port in Akita Prefecture's city of Oga, to hunt for "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on Dec. 20, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Fishermen ride a trawler on their way to hunt for "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on the cold waters of the Sea of Japan off the coast of Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Fishermen haul in their catch of "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on the Sea of Japan off the coast of Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Fishermen haul in their catch of "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on the Sea of Japan off the coast of Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Men fish for "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, on the Sea of Japan off the coast of Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 20, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Men sort out their catch of "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, at a port in Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

The catch of "hatahata," or sailfin sandfish, is seen at a port in Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

"Buriko," or hard roe of sailfin sandfish, is seen at a port in Akita Prefecture's city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fisherman shows his fresh catch of “hatahata,” or sailfin sandfish, at a port in Akita Prefecture’s city of Oga on Dec. 19, 2020. (Satoshi Takahashi)