Japan’s fishing industry will hold its first ever nationwide strike on Tuesday in protest against the recent surge in energy costs, adding to the pressure that falling fish populations and pollution are already inflicting on sushi shops and the Japan­ese dinner table.

The strike, which would affect virtually the entire industry of about 200,000 fishing boats in Japanese waters and overseas, aims to underline the plight of the fishermen and put pressure on the government to help them deal with the recent spike in energy prices.