In collaboration with NEC, which possesses cutting-edge artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technology, Nissui has developed an automated farmed fish measuring solution. Simply by uploading images of the farmed fish as they swim about their tank, the technology is able to calculate the fish’s size and lengths and report that information. In aquaculture, there is a need for such solutions to constantly manage the growth status of the fish. This solution alleviates the risk of stress or disease that comes from people physically handling fish. It also reduces labor and inconvenience, and improves measurement accuracy, thereby boosting productivity. The Nissui Group will continue to deliver safe, secure and delicious farmed fish by expanding the scope of AI and IoT utilization.

In March 2018, our bluefin tuna was shipped with the Kitsuna Gold Label brand name for the first time.

Thanks to processing at the site where they are landed, in the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Satsumasendai, we have produced rst-rate bluefin tuna with a focus on quality, freshness and taste. Domestically produced, fully farmed bluefin tuna is one of the key elements in the Nissui Aquaculture Business, and our plans to improve the sustainability of marine resource.

One of the factors for high costs in the farming of bluefin tuna is the cost of feed required for the hatched larvae. Drawing on the fruits of the research of the Oita Marine Biological Technology Center of the Central Research Laboratory, the Nissui Group has succeeded in replacing the commonly-used hatched larvae of other fish such as parrot fish and Japanese whiting (hatched larvae as feed) with formula feed; thus eliminating the need to time the hatching of the feed larvae and to manage its breeding, which, in turn, has contributed to the downsizing of personnel.
The fertilized eggs harvested at Seinan Suisan Co., Ltd. are hatched and reared at the Oita Marine Biological Technology Center using the above-mentioned proprietary formula feed. When the larvae grow to be 5 to 7 centimeters, they spend the winter in the offshore fish cages for juvenile fish of Seinan Suisan Co., Ltd. and subsequently fattened up until they reach shipment size at the company’s various fish cages. When transporting the tuna from one fish cage to another, the Group’s barges especially designed for bluefin tuna are used.

Bluefin tuna harvested at the Koshikijima farming site of Seinan Suisan Co., Ltd. are processed and packaged at the adjoining Koshikijima processing facility and shipped to customers using refrigerated delivery. By processing the tuna at the harvesting location, the Nissui Group is contributing to the construction of an optimal supply chain that emphasizes quality, freshness and good taste.
Furthermore, the addition of the Group’s unique innovative touches to each process including feeding methods, harvesting and processing, and packaging has enabled us to offer bluefin tuna with higher levels of vitamin E than regular tuna, with nearly 20% more of the umami ingredient, inosin, and with better color.
Going forward, the Group will commence the shipment of bluefin tuna raised from complete aquaculture from the Kamiura farming site (Saiki, Oita Prefecture) in addition to the Koshikijima facility, and starting in the fall of fiscal 2019 from the Goto facility of the Nissui Group company, Kaneko Sangyo Co., Ltd.

生鮮の本マグロは水揚げ時の鮮度低下や色沢の劣化が著しく、商品価値が損なわれやすいことが取扱い上の難点となっています。
ニッスイグループの金子産業（株）では、養殖本マグロを水揚げ時の高い鮮度を保ったまま加工・包装してチルド配送でお届けする「産地加工」に取組んでいます。さらに同社独自の加工技術により、品質と鮮度、おいしさ、使いやすさを重視した養殖マグロ加工品の最適なサプライチェーンを構築しています。
販売先は、外食・ホテル・量販店などで、加工に人手をかけられない、小ロットで導入したいなど、これまで生鮮マグロの取扱いに躊躇していたお客様のニーズにお応えしています。

同社が2018年5月より販売開始した本マグロ加工品「鮪錦（つなにしき）®」は、同社の長崎県の6つの養殖場で育成した本マグロを、水揚げ後徹底した温度管理のもと唐津の食品工場に搬入、引き続き加工工程でも温度管理を徹底し、特殊フィルムによりサク単位で個包装して、出荷しています。同社は、本マグロの養殖から飼料の生産、加工、保管、流通までの自社一貫体制を整備しており、徹底した鮮度管理・品質管理を可能としていいます。
特に水揚げ以降の温度管理技術は同社が独自に開発したもので、現在、特許出願中です。この技術に、最適な水揚げ方法や魚体の冷却方法を組み合わせて、通常品が加工日から3日程度の消費期限のところ、同品はチルド保管で加工日の翌日から7日間と長く、生鮮マグロのロングライフチルド（LLC）を実現しました。2019年度は同社の養殖マグロの全体出荷量30,000本のうち、10,000本を「鮪錦」として販売する計画です。