November 5, 2019

Japanese researchers successfully incubate and grow endangered Japanese eel

Kindai University aims to turn successful research into commercial aquaculture, reported Kyodo News.

The university is the first to achieve a "full cycle" aquaculture of bluefin tuna (to incubate, cultivate and procure a second-generation species for commercial use) and will replicate its successful venture with these endangered Japanese eels.

Shukei Masuma, head of the Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University said the aim was to attain sustainable aquaculture without affecting natural resources.

30 artificially-incubated eel larva have grown to 2cm over 50 days since September 12, 2019. 1,100 eel larva are grown separately. Some of these Japanese eels will grow to a commercially marketable size by next spring.

The university is also in the process of developing a new feed with reduced water pollution, as part of a larger effort to lower aquaculture costs and workloads.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature have designated the Japanese eel an endangered species in 2014.

The Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency have been leading efforts to cultivate Japanese eels. In 2010, a full-cycle farming scheme was created, the first in the world.

-  Kyodo News