Members of two major saury fishermen's groups suspended work Aug. 18 in a one-day appeal for government help with soaring fuel costs, the organizations said.

A total of 230 boats, accounting for almost all of the groups' fleets, remained docked in Hokkaido, where the prime fishing season for sanma saury began from Aug. 18.

The recent spike in fuel prices has dealt a particularly heavy blow to saury fishermen because their operations take place at night and require lamps to lure the fish. These lamps account for a high proportion of their fuel expenses.