Potential of the Ocean
Exceptional Nutritional Value
Seafood contains nutrients not found in meat or vegetables, offers highly absorbable protein compared with chicken or soybeans, and provides essential vitamins and minerals often lacking in modern diets.
*Based on a comparison of nutrients in 100 g of seafood and the same amount of livestock products.
Data: MEXT (2023), Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (8th Ed.), Supplement 2023.
Strong Environmental Value
Food production places a burden on the environment.
For example, raising livestock requires large amounts of land and water, and generates greenhouse gas emissions.
By contrast, seafood harvested or farmed in the ocean, which covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface, has a lower environmental impact and is gaining attention as a more sustainable food choice.
Marine ecosystems also absorb and store carbon.
This “blue carbon” is expected to play a key role in addressing climate change and ocean acidification.
Seafood also offers advantages in processing.
Canned products and fish sausages can be sealed and heat-sterilized, enabling long-term storage at room temperature.
Compared to refrigeration or freezing, they require less energy for storage.
Canned products also have high recycling rates and are being re-evaluated as an alternative to plastics.
