Aquaculture Breakthrough Brings Hope for Affordable Grilled Eel
The future of grilled eel, a beloved Japanese delicacy, looks brighter thanks to a recent breakthrough in aquaculture techniques. The Fisheries Agency announced in July 2023 that they have made significant progress in hatching eel eggs, paving the way for cheaper and more readily available eel dishes.
Currently, Japan consumes around 100 million eels annually, with most being farm-raised. However, the process relies on catching wild juvenile eels, called elvers, which has become increasingly challenging. The number of wild elvers caught in Japan has been declining, and over half of the supply now comes from imports, mainly from Hong Kong.
The Fisheries Agency has been working on artificial eel hatching since the 1990s, achieving the world's first success in 2002. Their recent breakthrough allows for the annual production of 40,000 to 50,000 juvenile eels, bringing them closer to commercial-scale artificial hatching.
This advancement has significantly reduced production costs. Hatching and raising a juvenile eel now costs around 1,800 yen ($11), a dramatic decrease from 40,000 yen in 2016. While still three times the price of a wild-caught elver, the agency expects to further reduce costs to below 1,000 yen by introducing automation.
This breakthrough offers hope for a more sustainable and affordable future for grilled eel. With the ability to artificially hatch and raise eels, Japan can reduce its reliance on wild elvers and ensure a stable supply of this cherished delicacy for generations to come.