Brand logo mark of Ine Bluefin Tuna

Nissui is also promoting provision of new valuable products. One such product is the short-term aquaculture business of big Bluefin Tuna that took off in 2007 off the coast of Ine Bay, Kyoto. Although this method has already been adopted in the Mediterranean Sea, it was the first such undertaking in Japan. Bluefin Tuna weighing around 100kg caught by Kyowa Suisan are transported in towed fish cages to fish cages set in Ine, where they are farmed by Nakatani Suisan for about 6 months. Nissui Marine Enterprises arranges boats and labors, while the Bluefin Tuna Section of Nissui's Feed and Aquaculture Business Operations Dept. and wholesalers play the central part in distribution. In this way, fresh Bluefin Tuna have been shipped under the "Ine Bluefin Tuna"; brand name since November 2007.

Highly reputed "Ine Bluefin Tuna"

Chefs at first-class restaurants recognize Ine Bluefin Tuna by saying that they "contain the right amount of red flesh as wild Bluefin Tuna from Ooma (Aomori Prefecture) and taste almost same as high-quality wild Bluefin Tuna do." The secret of tastiness is attributable to the blessed environment of the aquaculture farm. Located in Wakasa Bay, the farm is relatively close to the sea area where Bluefin Tuna are caught and is geographically less susceptible to monsoon. In addition, since surface water temperature in this area falls to 12 to 13ºC in winter, the fish put on more fat and their color improves. However, these advantageous features could never be brought without attentive care. While Bluefin Tuna are caught in the Sea of Japan by round haul netters in summer and harvested in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, they sell at the cheap price of 1,000 to 2,000 yen per kilogram, as they are thin. However, when shipped after farmed as "Ine Bluefin Tuna,"; they sell at a much higher price – 5,000 to 6,000 yen per kilogram – for their high-quality flesh (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Positioning of farmed Bluefin Tuna (Size and price)
Source: Study by Nissui

Having undertaken this business on a trial basis in 2006, Nissui is accumulating diverse efforts, including use of quality Mackerel caught in the adjacent sea, which can be sold as sashimi or as main feed; adjustment of amounts of feed at appropriate times; and improvement of the catching method. These efforts have significantly improved the market reputation of Ine Bluefin Tuna. Nissui aims to differentiate Ine Bluefin Tuna from other Bluefin Tuna farmed in Japan and overseas, setting an upper limit of 1,000 in the annual supply in upcoming fiscal 2008 and after.

Ine Bluefin Tuna account for only a small part of Bluefin Tuna handled by Nissui. However, it is an important business in which Nissui's genes of fishery will be passed to Kyowa Suisan. It is also symbolic of the pleasure of creating new, attractive products by taking advantage of various functions of the Group companies as well as appropriate reward of and encouragement for concerted, innovative efforts. And of course, we must not forget the presence of Inecho Fishermen's Cooperative and Kyoto Federation of Fishermen's Cooperatives, which cooperate with Nissui as our partners in various aspects, such as procurement and distribution of ice and feed.