From the period January 2020 to January 2021, JCCU will launch a project to commence work on the improvement of oyster fisheries in Hiroshima Prefecture.

About 60% of Japanese oysters are produced in Hiroshima Prefecture. Some CO・OP Brand Products also use oysters produced in Hiroshima Prefecture.

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JCCU considers it necessary to improve the environment around the fishing grounds in order to realize sustainable oyster fisheries hence the start of the oyster fishery improvement project. The goal of the project is to support five oyster farmers to obtain MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification by the end of FY2021. This is the first fishery improvement project in Japan for the purpose of the acquisition of MSC certification for oysters.

In this project JCCU cooperates with Kurahashijima Kaisan Co., Ltd., a leading producer of CO・OP Brand Products using oysters, Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd., a consulting company specializing in sustainable seafood and Ocean Outcomes (O2), an international environmental NGO. The project supports five oyster farmers in accordance with MSC fishery standards, such as conducting environmental surveys of habitats, developing fishing ground improvement plans, and developing ecosystem management measures.