Scallop Aquaculture in Ofunato (Interview)

You may have heard me say multiple times, but the city of Ofunato prides itself as the city that supplies one of the finest seafoods. One of the major reasons is due to the convergence of two major ocean currents off the coast of Iwate, which helps maintains the abundant supply of minerals and nutrients that enriches the quality of the seafood caught around this area. No wonder this “Sanriku Area” is widely known as one of the world’s top 3 fishery points. Another key factor is Ofunato’s large bay along with its equally large harbors that helps sustain the quality and quantity of aquaculture raised seafood in which Ofunato supplies to the community.

Although this may not be known on a global scale, Ofunato is largely known for its Pacific Sauries, Scallops, Seaweeds, Sea Urchins, and Oysters in Japan. Putting aside the Pacific Sauries for now, the rest are commonly known to be seafood that can be farmed and grown through aquaculture. So, then a few questions arise: Isn’t that true for the neighboring coastal cities? Than what makes Ofunato’s aquaculture farmed products so different?

What separates Ofunato from the rest is simply the size of Ofunato’s bay. The width, length, and deepness of this bay is incomparable to those nearby. Additionally, the size along with the bay’s small mouth softens the waves creating a prime condition for aquaculture. Additionally, the mountainous terrain that covers much of Iwate also helps to provide rich minerals into the bay as it rains, allowing for a natural cycle that enriches the quality of the seafood farmed in the bay. Lastly because of this geographical advantage, the history behind the aquaculture within this city is very deep, and so what we will be focusing on today is exactly that, Ofunato’s highly prized scallop farming culture. And what’s more than learning about the scallop aquaculture that Ofunato has to provide is to learn about them from the people which actually work to farm them!

Today’s interview is with Mrs. Okada, who has moved to Ofunato approximately 3 years ago and have been actively working as a fisherwoman since!

Me:　First and foremost, may I ask for a short introduction about yourself?

Okada-san:  Of course. My name is Mayumi Okada, and I have moved to Ofunato through the 地域おこし協力隊 (AKA: Local Revitalization Cooperation Group) about 3 years ago. My husband and I had different jobs previously, but after seeing off our daughter live on her own, we had shifted our future towards aquaculture, specifically in the field of shellfish, which has been our interest for some time.

*地域おこし協力隊, or Local Revitalization Cooperation Group is a program provided by the government that has been growing the recent years. The main purpose of this program is to encourage young people to move to and work in rural and less-populated areas of Japan, and to revitalize these regions by injecting fresh energy, skills, and enthusiasm into local communities.

Me:　Wow, so using this government program, you had chosen to pursue a totally different field in the rural part of Japan! So, if I may ask, what exactly do you do?

Okada-san:  Right now, our main products are Scallops and Wakame seaweed, and in additionally I am helping to support and revitalize the city’s fisheries department. The aquaculture part I assume we will touch upon later, so add some details in regards to helping the fisheries department, I am currently organizing hands-on fishery activities for tourist, helping and connecting necessary organizations to create a supplemental network.

Me:　So I know Ofunato provides many kinds of seafood, but from your perspective what is the Top 3 and why?

Okada-san:　 Well, this may just be me playing favoritism, but If I were to name the top three it would be Wakame Seaweed, Scallops, and lastly Sea Urchin. Raising these products in the ocean that changes each year gives both hardship and joy and because of that makes it tastes all the more delicious. The reason why the fishermen here raise these kinds of seafood is due to the convergence of the two ocean currents which provide the natural nutrients within the surrounding area. Additionally, due to the minerals and nutrients which trickle down from Mt. Goyo, Mt. Okubo, Mt. Natsumushi, and Mt. Imade, all three which are renowned mountains within Ofunato. These conditions not only maintain but also increase the quality of the seafood caught in the area when compared to those caught in the neighboring cities.

Me:　Ah, so the natural geography does indeed help the fisheries in Ofunato. So, knowing that you farm scallops for a living, would you help provide some insight regarding scallop farming in general or scallop farming in Ofunato?

Okada-san:　Ah, understood. So generally, scallops are shellfish which stay in the sandy parts of the sea floor, similar to clams. As such, usually these kinds of shellfish have a lot of sand in them and need some time for them to spit out the sand before they are prepared as a meal.

But when scallops are farmed there is a special process called Mimizuri or “Ear-Hanging,” where they tie a rope through the scallops’ ear and later hung in the middle layer of the ocean after they have grown to a certain size. By doing so, the scallops are able to feast on planktons which reside more in the mid-layer rather than the ocean floor, allowing the scallops to grow bigger. Of course, since they are not in the ocean floor they will not contain sands, and the meat of the scallops become bigger compared to those that are not grown this way. I for one think that this process makes the scallops slightly sweeter and better tasting.

Now the reason why I explain this Mimizuri procedure is one, because it is a key process, but also because it is said that this procedure was born and started here in Ofunato. Unfortunately, I personally don’t know of the specifics other than the fact that this procedure was established in 1961, but you can see that Ofunato has put in many time and effort to establish and maintain the scallop farming culture. Before I had mentioned the geographical advantages that Ofunato has, not only because I work as on this side, but we should also thank and be grateful for the efforts that has been put into these products by the fishermen.

Me:　Thank you very much for sharing such valuable information with me and well as the readers today. In finishing our interview today, would you have any last remarks for the those who may read this?

Okada-san:  Thank you too Taiga-san. Yes, if I may.

The seafood available in Japan has historically varied per season. With modern technologies these days, the varieties available may have grown immensely and they are very delicious regardless. Even farmed seafood have their seasons, and you’ll most definitely be surprised by its taste. As such, whenever you have the chance, I hope you will come visit Ofunato and experience the seasonal treasures in addition to the fishermen, ocean, and the farm where these products grow.

If you have any interest in Scallop farming or seaweed farming, I personally do hands-on tours with tourist so please feel free to contact me!

Me:　Okada-san, thank you very much once again for such a wonderful time. The visual impact or tasting something delicious and sharing its greatness is one thing, but I always feel that “knowing” the history and/or the process in which the food is prepared changes the perspective of how you see or taste it. I too hope people will come visit Ofunato and experience the core of its greatness!