December 10, 2009

Maruha Nichiro pulls ahead in bluefin tuna development race

One of Japan's largest seafood companies, Maruha Nichiro Holdings Inc., is reported to have taken the lead in developing a functional bluefin tuna farm that actually protects natural tuna stocks.

Unlike most tuna farms that catch wild fish and fatten them on farms, Maruha's farmed tuna is bred from eggs.

So the question is: Will a whole new segment in the farm-raised fish industry be developed if firms like Maruha are successful?

According to reports, Guam has a number of private farms that have benefited largely from methods of aquaculture introduced to the island several generations ago. And local pond operators have kept pace with demand through changes in the industry over the years.

Given legal access to waters suitable for tuna farming, it is possible that Guam's fish farmers could adopt successful tuna-farming practices that are both profitable and sustainable.

This is encouraging news for those concerned about dwindling tuna stocks in the Marianas and for consumers as well.

If Maruha is successful in tuna farming, it appears that the demand for tuna could conceivably be sustainably met, with the help of fish farms - as companies like Maruha provide a safe supply of farm raised tuna. Maruha plans to begin selling their farm raised bluefin by 2013.