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Fisheries Research Agency Successfully Cracks Complete Genome of Bluefin Tuna

July 2, 2009

The Fisheries Research Agency announced on June 30 that the unprecedented cracking of the complete genome of bluefin tuna would materialize within this year.


In collaborations with Tokyo University as well as Kyushu University, the research agency is working on the unscrambling of the complete genome sequence and analyses of useful genes of bluefin tuna.


Bluefin tuna possesses 24 pairs of chromosomes; a size of the whole genome is estimated to be approximately eight million base pairs. The research agency is deciphering the fragmentation of the complete genome sequence of bluefin tuna, harnessing "the Next Generation Sequencer," which has hundreds of times higher processing capabilities than the conventional systems. From this time forward, the concrete decoding of where these base pairs are located on what chromosomes will be conducted and it is projected that the complete genome sequence will be deciphered before the end of the year.


The unscrambling of the complete genome sequence of bluefin tuna conveniently enables the production of breeds with advantageous genes, such as disease free varieties or a kind with a faster maturity rate. Moreover, the understanding of gene data makes it possible to discriminate origins and individuality of tunas harvested throughout the world. The following application possibilities are anticipated: 1) the development of sensitive resources management techniques; 2) the establishment of traceability from harvest to consumers; and 3) the development of functional foods and pharmaceutical products based on tuna's distinctive abilities, i.e. a high speed swimming capability, a heat-conservation mechanism, and a high DHA accumulation.


The original article was published on July 2, 2009 and was translated by Kiyo Hayasaka.


May Seafood Export Stats: Salmon, Trout Shoot up 31%

July 1, 2009

According to seafood export statistics for the month of May as summarized by the Japan Fish Traders Association (preliminary), the aggregate seafood export amount tallied to 33,186 tons, or 99.4 percent year over year, and the total value came to \12 billion, or 78.6 percent.


Salmon and trout managed to increase their export amounts by 31% to 1,877 tons; the unit price remained flat at \226 per kg. Albacore equally raised the export quantity to 1,353 tons and its unit price ended in at \254. The export amount of cod grew to 4,564 tons; however, its unit price dropped to \128.


ItemSeafood Export Stats for May 2009
 Amount (kg)Value (¥1,000)Price per kg (¥)
Live
Sea Bream
Year to year comparison
375,800
62%
204,892
53.7%
512.3
79.2%
Fresh, Chilled, Frozen
Salmon/Trout
Year to year comparison
1,877,279
131.7%
424,499
132.4%
226.1
100.5%
Albacore Tuna
Year to year comparison
1,353,486
420.6%
344,362
464.3%
254.4
110.4%
Yellowfin Tuna
Year to year comparison
685,371
208.8%
89,642
109.6%
130.8
52.5%
Big-eyed Tuna
Year to year comparison
279,017
48.8%
91,218
46.3%
326.9
94.8%
Marlin
Year to year comparison
73,627
79.8%
19,677
74.2%
267.3
93%
Bonito
Year to year comparison
408,622
52.5%
42,466
48%
103.9
91.3%
Cod
Year to year comparison
4,564,855
113.4%
584,954
92%
128.1
81.1%
Mackerel
Year to year comparison
5,974,677
73%
600,342
61.3%
100.5
84%
Saury
Year to year comparison
5,274,225
138.6%
371,771
99.7%
70.5
71.8%
Sea Bream
Year to year comparison
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Amberjack
Year to year comparison
345,366
153.3%
545,783
153.9%
1580.3
100.4%
Crab
Year to year comparison
74,740
88.5%
69,088
99.2%
924.4
112.1%
Scallop
Year to year comparison
560,271
54.3%
581,484
47.7%
1037.9
87.9%
Squid
Year to year comparison
937,169
31.8%
118,943
29%
126.9
91.1%
Sea Squirt
Year to year comparison
657,992
479.9%
129,036
394.3%
196.1
82.2%
Prepared Products
Mackerel
Year to year comparison
498,321
649.4%
192,042
500.8%
385.4
77.1%
Kneaded Fish Products
Year to year comparison
536,922
78.8%
453,118
87.7%
843.9
111.4%
Scallop
Year to year comparison
118,062
247.5%
403,820
186.7%
3420.4
75.4%
Abalone
Year to year comparison
869
12.2%
18,232
4.7%
20980.4
38.8%
Dried Laver
Year to year comparison
48,089
63%
101,672
59.8%
2114.2
94.9%
Fishmeal
Year to year comparison
64,000
71.1%
5,532
77%
86.4
108.3%
Pearl
Year to year comparison
3,999
72.8%
940,109
57.2%
235,086
78.5%
Grand Total
Year to year comparison
33,186,802
99.4%
12,062,507
78.6%
363.5
79.1%


The original article was published on July 1, 2009 and was translated by Kiyo Hayasaka.


May Seafood Import Stats: Total Value Plunges 20%

July 1, 2009

According to seafood import statistics for the month of May as summarized by the Japan Fish Traders Association, the total amount of imported seafood added up to 227,271 tons, a 10.1 percent decrease from the corresponding month last year. There were increases in bonito, sardine, squid, octopus, pollack surimi, and prepared eel (BBQ eel), while yellowfin tuna, fish meat, Japanese horse mackerel, mackerel, salmon, and trout exhibited drastic drops. The total value of imported seafood for May indicated a 20.1 percent tumble to \112.766 billion. The unit prices of bonito, pollack roe, crab, and octopus plunged tremendously.


As for tuna varieties, a main commodity of yellowfin displayed a whopping 50 percent fall in the amount to 3,800 tons. In contrast, bigeye tuna grew 10.3 percentage points to 9,800 tons. Bonito, also, indicated an increase of 30.5 percent, totaling 4,300 tons; however, its unit price tumbled 15.5 percent.


There was a 16.2 percent decline in the imported amount of salmon and trout, running to 17,400 tons; nonetheless, the unit price climbed up by 17.9 percent. Drastic decreases in quantities were displayed by the following fish varieties: fish meat, 47 percent; Japanese horse mackerel, 45.9 percent; and mackerel, 37 percent. Pollack roe marked a decline of 13.8 parentage points to 11,100 tons and a drop in its unit price led to a 40 percent slump in value. Though more pollack surimi was imported, indicated by a 31.4 percent increase, its total value remained with a 7.6 percent rise.


The unit prices of fish meat and Japanese horse mackerel fell; however, mackerel registered a triple increase. The imported quantity of BBQ eel soared 70 percent; however, its unit price went down by 31.7 percent.


The original article was published on July 1, 2009 and was translated by Kiyo Hayasaka.


Liquid Freezer's Excellent Performance for Tuna Freezing

June 30, 2009

Kanesan Suisan, specializing in tuna processing, located in Edogawa, Tokyo under management of Keiji Ban, began utilizing a liquid freezer by Technican in June, realizing efficient tuna freezing.


The liquid freezer the company installed is a custom-made type with a conveyer belt. The freezer has a capacity for 300 kg per hour. A package of tuna with 3 cm in thickness takes 8 to 15 minutes to freeze. Placing a package in liquid alcohol at -30°C enables flash freezing, much faster than air-blast freezing, improving work efficiency.


Once an initial package is programmed in the freezer, every operation, from freezing to air-blasting alcohol, is done automatically.


A liquid freezer, which is eight to ten times more powerful than nitrogen freezing, delivers high performance in freezing of sushi and sashimi products. Maruha Nichiro Suisan's processing plant in Kagoshima Prefecture also installed a liquid freezer by Technican last year, making use of freezing filets of amberjack for sashimi.


A liquid freezer shortens a freezing time compared to an air freezer, making labor efficiency possible. Moreover, its abilities to fast-freeze liquid to 3 to 5 micrometers, smaller than a cell, and to keep cells undamaged, lessen the amount of drips, which contributes to the production of high quality end products, similar to fresh products.


The original article was published on June 30, 2009 and was translated by Kiyo Hayasaka.


Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery
Selects 40 Processed Products for Export Expansion

June 30, 2009

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery (MAFF) selected "40 processed food products with potential for exports recognized by the world" out of 253 products submitted for "Japanese foods expected for exports and favored by foreigners." Producers of the chosen products will be encouraged to participate in events organized by foreign embassies in Japan, aiming for export expansion.


The MAFF encouraged Japanese food manufacturers to submit their products, which would satisfy the following three conditions: 1) expiration dates that last more than four months; 2) products must be finalized in Japan; and 3) products must be commercialized commodities. Submitted products were tasted and voted by staff of foreign embassies and those from trading companies. The 40 select products constitute 20 processed foods, five confections, five refreshing beverages, and 10 condiments.


Marine products that passed were "Aburi Sanma" (broiled saury) by Abecho Shoten, Co. in Kisennuma, Miyazaki Pref.; "Madai Reikun" (cold-smoked red sea bream) by Ohmatsu-ya in Shima, Mie Pref.; "Chi-chiku" (chikuwa with cheese) by Kibun Shokuhin in Tokyo; "Sonomanma Chirimen" (whole baby sardine) by Seto Queen in Iyo, Ehime Pref.; "Saba no Reikun (cold-smoked mackerel) by Demer in Hachinohe, Aomori Pref.; "Nishin Umani: TERIYAKI FISH" (cooked herring) by Hiramatsu Shokuhin in Toyohashi, Aichi Pref.; and "Cheese Bo" (cheese and satsumage in stick) by Wakamatsu-ya in Ise, Mie Pref., a total of seven products.


The original article was published on June 30, 2009 and was translated by Kiyo Hayasaka.

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