January 6, 2020

Farmed Shinshu Salmon now top brand in Japan

The hybrid farmed salmon, a cross between rainbow trout and trout salmon farmed in landlocked Nagano is the country's top aquaculture salmon produce, reported Fish Information & Services via Mainichi Japan.

Shinshu Salmon grows between two to three kilograms in two to three years. Plus, the fish doesn't need nutritional resources to create eggs as the fish was developed unable to reproduce.

Shinshu Salmon is the result of 10 years of development by the Nagano Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station in Azumini city.

Prior to 1971, Nagano used to raise big quantities of rainbow trout for export to the United States, but demand dropped after President Richard Nixon imposed economic policy measures in 1971.

As a result, domestic rainbow trout farmers switched their focus to the local market, but prices fell as Japanese consumers did not like the fish.

In 1994, the Nagano Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station in Azumini city started development of new local products aimed at reviving the local fish farming industry. Local aquafarmers called for the centre to develop a distinctive local fish that could be consumed like sashimi, which resulted in Shinshu Salmon.

Not only does Shinshu Salmon look good, the fish is also resistant against diseases that normally affect rainbow trout. 

-      Fish Information & Services via Mainichi Japan