Out to sea with the sunriseOf course fishing starts early in the morning. We accompanied the harvesting of cultivated ”wakame”. |
Challenging the ”wakame” harvestIwate prefecture is famous for cultivating ”wakame”, Currently, the total production of ”wakame” in Japan is about 60,000 tons. Within the Sanriku area, Iwate prefecture produces 25,000 tons, Miyagi prefecture produces 15,000 tons, a total of 40,000 tons, making Iwate prefecture the number one in ”wakame” production in Japan. Of that, Omoe produces 3000 tons. Every year during June to August, they put the natural seedling of ”mekabu” seaweed on a jute rope and let it grow in the sea. In November they wrap the jute rope around a thicker rope. In January and February the water from melted snow goes into the sea, and the ”wakame” grows quickly. In general, they harvest in March. ”Wakame” is an annual plant so they harvest everything by the middle of April. |
”Wakame” in the warm tide. ”Kombu” in the cold tide.When the boatful of harvested ”wakame” is brought to shore, the first thing that they need to do is to boil it in sea water. And then they are pickled in salt for preservation. The day only ends after going through these processes. When the season for ”wakame” ends, the ”kombu” season starts, providing work throughout the year. |
Everyone in the family participates in ”wakame” cultivationOmoe peninsula was hit hard by the Great East Japan Earthquake. They showed us the scars of the tsunami that remains on the rocks on the beach. However, in the midst of the huge damage, during the early days following the earthquake, people chipped in and purchased and repaired a boat. By the end of May, they were able to harvest wild ”wakame”. Furthermore, they fixed the cultivating facility and processing factory, and 129 of the 181 people who worked there have returned to their jobs. |
ACCESS
- Omoe Fishery Cooperative Association
- Dai 1 Chiwari 37-1 Omoe Miyako, Iwate Prefecture
- URL http://www.jfomoe.or.jp/