Green Light Technology Accelerating Seafood Cultivation in Japan

Japan, an island nation, has a deep-rooted culinary tradition revolving around seafood such as fish, shrimp, and crab. However, climate change and global warming have prompted the country to enhance research and development in aquaculture. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, farmed seafood production globally has reached an annual output of over 10 million tons, closely matching that of natural seafood. A new Japanese innovation using light to stimulate rapid growth in fish populations is garnering significant attention.

Oita Prefecture in Kyushu, the region leading Japan in halibut farming, employs green LED lights to boost the growth rate of the halibut, effectively shortening the shipping time. According to Toho Aquaculture, a leading player in Saiki City, 75 LED light units are strategically placed above five halibut tanks. Conventionally, it takes about 14 months to grow a halibut from a juvenile to a marketable size of 1 kg. However, by irradiating the fish tanks with green LED light for 12 hours daily, this duration can be reduced by three months. For aquaculture farmers, this technique not only allows for early shipping but also reduces costs, boosting the efficiency of halibut farming.

Professor Akiyoshi Takahashi of Kitasato University, who is leading the research…