Japan government trying to boost income of fish farmers

Worldwide, aquaculture production accounts for 49 percent of total fisheries and aquaculture value. By volume, carp accounted for 28 percent, algae and kelp for 14 percent and 9 percent respectively, clams and oysters 6 percent and 5 percent respectively, tilapia and shrimp both for 5 percent and salmonids for 4 percent. Japan held less than a 1 percent share of worldwide production volume compared with 60 perent for China, followed by Indonesia (11 percent), India (5 percent) and Vietnam (4 percent). China’s huge share is explained by its extensive cultivation of freshwater carp.

Among major farmed finfish species consumed in Japan in 2012, 100 percent of yellowtail and 97 percent of seabream was domestically caught or farmed, with 61 percent and 67 percent farmed respectively. Japan self-supplied only 28 percent of its salmon consumption; 62 percent of total consumption was farmed, but only 3 percent of that domestically, and 38 percent was wild (25 percent of that domestic). Salmon is increasing in popularity for raw consumption, whereas it traditionally was not eaten raw, due to the Anasakis parasite. However, as blast freezing for 24 hours kills the parasite, and as farmed salmon eating prepared feed is less likely to contain it than wild salmon feeding on krill, it has been steadily gaining as a sushi and sashimi item.

About 61 percent of yellowtail is farmed, accounting for 60 percent of aquaculture production value in Japan. Average unit prices of farmed yellowtail have far exceeded those of natural yellowtail, due to stable supply. Prices move independently because wild yellowtail is larger and is treated as a cooking item, while farmed is eaten raw. As wild catches have increased since 1989, only natural yellowtail prices have fallen.

A major theme of the report was how to boost incomes for fish farmers. High feed, labor and machinery costs, along with flat sales prices, make it hard to earn a profit. Many continue using aging machinery. As farmed fish have a growth period of 2-3 years and it is difficult for individual farmers to predict supply and demand when stocking pens, the Fisheries Agency in February 2014, formed an advisory committee that will establish annual production quantity guidelines. This approach of voluntary production controls is in contrast to the previous emphasis on expansion of aquaculture. For 2014, the seeding of yellowtail and seabream pens is to be based on production targets of 140,000 metric tons (MT) and 72,000 MT respectively.

To increase safety and consumer confidence the government has, since 2009, promoted Good Aquaculture Practice (GAP), which involves taking advance measures to avoid problems, by following a procedure manual and a specified recording method. The government wants to further build consumer confidence by using the Internet to disclose the detailed production history of products.

The Fisheries Agency also aims to encourage development of unique branded products. For example, seabream and flounder, which are low in fat, may be fed a high-lipid diet for improved fat content and better taste. For seabream and shrimp, a bright red color is preferred in the market, but the natural color ranges from brown to red. By adding dye to the feed or by using a light-shielding sunscreen over pens the color may be reddened. Extracts of citrus peels, and tea or loquat leaves have also been included in feeds and are reported to prevent the breakdown of lipids and reduce fishy smell.

Members of the National Association of Seawater Fish Farming are also trying to improve the severe business conditions of fish farmers by promoting exports. A poster and overseas logo were created in November 2013 and seminars and cooking demonstrations were held for the general public in Moscow. In July 2013, corporations and organizations in the export business formed an organization to support these export promotion activities: the National Farmed Fish Export Promotion Council.

Prices of popular sushi fish rising

The price of fish frequently consumed in the home has risen in line with poor catches and the growing popularity of sushi worldwide, squeezing budgets for both businesses and households.

Wholesale prices of fish such as salmon, yellowtail and bonito have increased by 20 to 70 percent. The trend has hit fish lovers' pockets while also posing a headache for business operators.

"We have no choice but to raise the price of our salmon fillets. All fish stores must be having a hard time," said a 42-year-old fish store operator in Tokyo's Kanda district.

His shop has purchased quality raw salmon at about ¥1,300 per kilogram, up 20 percent from May last year. It now sells salmon at ¥300 per fillet-a price increase of about ¥30.