Key Facts
• On May 10, veterinarians conducted health checks on 122 cormorants.
• Six cormorant fishermen’s homes and the Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Museum were visited.
• Veterinarians administered vaccines to prevent infectious diseases.
• The health check is an annual event before the fishing season.
• Cormorant fishing season runs from May 11 to October 15, 2026.
• Cormorant master Masahiko Sugiyama confirmed birds are growing well and emphasized rest for health.
Summary
Ahead of the May 11 opening of the Nagara River cormorant fishing season in Gifu City, veterinarians performed annual health inspections on 122 cormorants on May 10. They visited six cormorant fishermen’s homes and the Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Museum to assess the birds’ health and administer vaccines to prevent infectious diseases. Cormorant master Masahiko Sugiyama noted the birds are growing well and highlighted the importance of rest to maintain their health throughout the season. The cormorant fishing event will run until October 15, 2026.
