Japanese Yellowtail (Buri) Fish Farming in Nagashima, Japan

Exclusive: Yellowtail (Buri) Fish Farming on Nagashima Island in Kagoshima, Japan – December 2020

In this video, we get a chance to take a behind the scenes look at how Yellowtail (Buri) is grown and harvested on Nagashima Island in Kagoshima, Japan. Yellowtail can go by many names and one of the most common is Hamachi. We visited the Usui Fishery Harbor where the World-Famous Buri-Oh Company is harvesting fresh Buri from their farming pods or aquaculture nets or in Japanese, Kowari-ikesu (小割生簀) which are square or circular shaped floating nets scattered in the ocean channels around Nagashima Island. The Kowari-ikesu is approximately 15m (L) x 15m (W) and 10m (D) and can hold approximately 4000 to 8000 Buri. There are approximately 620 Kowari-ikesu in the area that are farmed by 120 families. In Usui Bay alone there are on average 750,000 Buri being grown at any given time.

Buri is in highest demand during the winter when the water is coldest and the fish become fat. However, due to improvements in farming technology and feed quality, Buri can be supplied all-year round. Buri is becoming increasingly popular for sashimi during the summer months as a healthy meal. Fish farming in this way ensures a higher quality product that is consistent and healthy to consume. The goal of fish farming is to create a sustainable supply of food and also reduce impact on the environment. The Usui Bay is strategically located allowing for high quality farming with its fast moving tidal waters and nearly endless supplies of fresh plankton making it the perfect place to grow Buri. The water in the area and the Buri being held in nets can confuse people, but the fast moving water acts as a natural treadmill for fish as they are constantly moving to fight the changing currents.

Fish farming is a highly regulated insdustry that is constantly evolving. The Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative has been producing Buri for 40 years and have tried to create a healthy ecosystem for both the Buri and the people in Nagashima. With 120 families sharing in the operation this creates a consistent and healthy economy that is still growing. The Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative sells approximately 12,000 tons of fish per year. This brings in about 12 billion JPY (~$113 million USD) in domestic and international sales per year. The popularity of Buri is not only in Japan, but also all over the world with most of the sales being made internationally. In recent years, the growing Buri industry has brought on wealth and also an increase in regulation with the Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative working closely with farmers in development of an original feed that ensures consistency in quality. In 2005, the Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative started using their original feed to grow Buri in the Nagashima Island area.

Special Thanks To:
Mr. Hamamura
Buri-Oh Company (Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative)
Japan Food Artisan (JFA)
and the People of Nagashima Island

Film Editor:
Fu Ogasawara

Cameras Used:
Olympus OMD EM-1 Mark III – HD (4k Video)
DJI Drone – Mavic Pro 2 – HD (4k Video)
Sony ZV-1 – Vlogging Camera – HD (4k Video)
GoPro Hero 8 – HD (4k Video)

Azuma-cho Fisheries Cooperative:

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