THE SECRETE OF FRESH FISH IN JAPAN

SRINIVASA MURTHY (Asst Manager (Finance)) (186 Points)

17 June 2010  

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish, but the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So, to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger, and farther than ever.

 

The farther the fisher men went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste

 

To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, tin to tin. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull but alive.

 

Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish. So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh tasting fish to Japan? If you were consulting the fish industry, what would you recommend? How Japanese fish stay fresh?

 

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.

 

Have you realized the some of us are also living in pond but most of the time tired and dull, so we need a shark in our life to keep us awake and moving. Basically in our lives sharks are new challenges to keep us active and taste better. The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a challenge.