[ITmedia Business Online] We may not be able to deliver “delicious fish” - How will Sushiro tackle the fishing crisis? Why we are collaborating with Fujitsu to “dissect the ocean” with AI

``In the end, Sushiro will buy everything.''

During a panel discussion on marine technology, this declaration popped up. In order to continue to enjoy delicious fish, the conveyor belt sushi chain Sushiro has teamed up with IT giant Fujitsu, which is in a different industry.

Japan is blessed with rich fishing grounds. However, as the people responsible for fishing and aquaculture continue to age, and seawater temperatures near Japan are rising at a pace more than twice the global average, it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue delivering the bounty of the sea to our plates. On the other hand, demand for Japanese seafood is increasing due to the worldwide popularity of sushi.

Producers and restaurant chains have each taken measures, but there are limits to what a single company can do alone. Therefore, a demonstration project is about to begin in Sukumo Bay, Kochi Prefecture, in which different industries are collaborating to create a new marine industry.

Average age: 54.3 years old Aquaculture sites where the population is becoming increasingly senior

The demonstration site will be provided by Kuroshio Suisan (Otsuki Town, Kochi Prefecture), a subsidiary of Kyokuyo (Minato Ward, Tokyo), a major seafood company. The company has 130 fish cages in southwestern Shikoku, and annually ships 300,000 red sea bream and 100,000 burihira, a hybrid of yellowtail and amberjack.

However, the average age of the company's 12 employees is 54.3 years old, and the company is aging, and rising seawater temperatures are also becoming a problem, making it difficult to raise existing fish species in the current fishing grounds.

Meanwhile, global consumption of edible seafood has doubled from 9.0 kg per person per year (1961) to 20.4 kg per person per year (2023). Yasushi Hayashi (General Manager, Resource Development Department, Fresh Foods Business Headquarters) of Kyokuyo points out, ``If things continue like this, the speed of development and problem-solving will not be able to keep up with the speed of decline,'' and says, ``We need a place for open innovation where many players can participate.''