March 30, 2020 — The global spread of the novel coronavirus is beginning to significantly affect the activity of pelagic tuna fisheries, according to the Suisan Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese fisheries industry newspaper. The number of countries that regulate boarding and disembarking of crewmembers at major supply ports overseas has increased. In the current situation, where boats are moored at overseas ports, crewmembers are unable to return to Japan by air. Some vessels are having trouble deciding whether to hurry to return to Japan or continue fishing until the initially planned fishing season and wait for a turnaround of the virus situation.
Restrictions on immigration have been gaining momentum since World Health Organization Director-General Tedros said on March 11 that the new coronavirus was a pandemic. Countries with essential ports for the Japanese long-distance fleet, such as Las Palmas, Spain, and Cape Town, South Africa, have also begun banning foreign crew members from getting on and off and entering the countries.