Japan promotes eating black sea bream to protect aquaculture

Japanese fisheries and restaurants have begun promoting the consumption of black sea bream to curb damage to aquaculture crops [1, 2].

The initiative aims to reduce the population of the fish, known as chinu, which has caused serious damage by eating clams and seaweed [1, 2]. Because the fish are omnivorous and possess strong biting power, they have become a significant threat to the livelihoods of seaweed farmers and fisheries cooperatives [1, 2].

In Okayama Prefecture, the fisheries cooperative federation has introduced a specific "nori bento" — a seaweed lunch box — featuring black sea bream ^[2]. A representative of the Okayama Prefecture fisheries cooperative federation said the meal is intended to promote the taste of the fish while addressing the predation problem ^[2].

Restaurants in Tokyo are also participating in the effort to shift the public perception of the fish from a pest to a delicacy [1, 2]. Ichiro Sato, a manager at Uotoyo, said the fish is in season from April to June ^[1] and again from September onward ^[1]. He said the fish becomes fatter after September as it feeds on various sources ^[1].

While aquaculture operators view the fish as a nuisance, some recreational fishers find them appealing. One angler fishing in a Tokyo river said the fish are interesting because they are not easy to catch ^[1].

Efforts to commercialize the black sea bream are expanding across various regions of Japan, including Tokyo and Okayama [1, 2]. By integrating the fish into the local food supply chain, officials hope to alleviate the economic burden on the fishing industry without relying solely on traditional pest control methods [1, 2].