Large schools of Pacific herrings are making a comeback on Hokkaido's Sea of Japan coast, thanks to efforts by local organizations and fishermen.
In multiple locations in the area, Pacific herrings are observed spawning near the shore in schools so large that they turn the ocean milky white -- a phenomenon known as "kuki."
After the end of World War II, the phenomenon was no longer seen due to a drastic decline in the Pacific herring population. But it has begun to be widely witnessed again in recent years thanks to efforts such as a project to release herring fry in the area. Kuki is showing signs of making a comeback as a special feature of the spring in Hokkaido.
