Kindai University in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, has become the first institution to successfully breed Japanese eels through a “full-cycle” aquaculture process. This development is crucial amid a significant decline in the species’ population in the wild, prompting heightened interest in conservation efforts.
Japanese eels, considered an endangered species and a prized delicacy, face threats to their existence. Kindai University’s success in achieving full-cycle aquaculture, where fish larvae are hatched from older specimens farmed in the facility, offers hope for the species’ conservation.
While hopes are high for potential commercial use of this method, it is yet to be realized. Kindai University utilized methods similar to the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, which, in 2010, became the world’s first facility to achieve full-cycle eel farming. This process involves incubating and cultivating eels to produce offspring.
Despite a significant percentage of eels in the Japanese market originating from farms, the traditional method involves catching them in the wild while young. The decline in wild catches has increased interest in technologies that enable producers to breed eels from their eggs.
The university’s approach involved artificial insemination of a female eel to obtain eggs, allowing the hatchlings to reach maturity. This process was then repeated to establish a full breeding cycle. However, the university faces challenges in sustaining a large population of young eels due to the complexities surrounding their biology.
Known as glass eels in their juvenile stage, these eels take time to mature, and maintaining them proves complicated as their eating habits often lead to dirty tanks, according to the university. Shukei Masuma, a specially appointed professor at the Aquaculture Research Institute at the university, emphasized their focus on developing technology for raising glass eels and contributing to their mass production.
In addition to this breakthrough, Kindai University has also achieved full-cycle farming of bluefin tuna, showcasing its commitment to advancements in aquaculture.
