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Japan Farmed Fish Export Promotion Association Launched

July 16, 2013

In hopes of invigorating the aquaculture industry in Japan by exporting more domestically farmed fish, the Japan Farmed Fish Export Promotion Association was launched on July 3. Chairperson Keishi Miyamoto held a press meeting at the Fisheries Agency on July 12.

“We see more fish being imported; on the other hand, exporting fish is quite difficult. Norway, the same marine country as us, has succeeded in shipping their salmon out to 162 countries in the world, leading to the recovery of their fishing industry. Just like them, we must hurry and create better conditions for exports,” Miyamoto strongly stated.

The primary operations of the new organization are 1) creation of advantageous conditions for exporting domestically farmed fish; 2) promulgation and promotion of Japan’s cultured fish overseas; and 3) encouraging consumption of farmed fish in Japan. Other goals include importing of fries and feed, maintaining import conditions for stable management of cultured fish, and garnering information on farmed fish import/export and providing the information to members.

“Aiming to Resurrect Oceanic Nation Japan”

For the establishment of the association, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the like were vigorously contacted.

“They seemed to understand our goals and I believe they will be cooperative,” Miyamoto said.

Without presenting specific numbers, which will be affected by export amounts of farmed fish and changing fish prices, the association will respond to policy touted by the Abe Administration of reaching seafood exports in the amount of 350 billion Yen by 2020 and objectives held up by the National Sea Aquaculture Association. At present, there are 16 companies on their member list.

The association is slated to focus on 1) loosening export procedures of domestically cultured fish (health certificate, etc.); 2) stabilizing aquaculture management in Japan; 3) cultivating relationships with foreign countries to export Japan’s farmed fish; and 4) encouraging seafood exports as a whole.

“All sides being surrounded by oceans, Japan abounds with places suitable for aquaculture. Our aquaculture industry, “nurturing fisheries,” has failed to be successful on an international battleground and fishing villages are in an exhausted condition. We wish to break this. Aiming to regain the title as the marine nation, we must set sail anew,” Miyamoto asked for people’s understanding.

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