Misawa plunges into bilateral salmon release

OIRASE TOWN, Japan -- A plethora of young children trickled into the misty park for the 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release at Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19.

Misawa Air Base community members partnered with local Japanese citizens to release more than 400,000 young fish into the Oirase River to grow, breed and return for the annual Rokkasho Salmon Festival in the fall.

On average, salmon spend three to five years in the ocean where they mature and then return to their home to reproduce.

It is a local tradition in Oirase Town to assist these fish in carrying out their life cycle, and that custom is shared with the base each year.