The Launch of the First Core Food Caravan Focusing on Fisheries

The Maiden Voyage of the Core Food Caravan: Focus on Fisheries

On March 25, 2025, the Pal System Cooperative Federation, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, held an innovative online event titled "The 3rd Core Food Caravan for the Year 2025: Fisheries Edition" in collaboration with the Notsuke Fishing Cooperative, headquartered in Bekkai, Hokkaido. This event marked the first Fisheries Edition of the Core Food Caravan, aimed at deepening understanding of sustainable food production practices.

Bridging the Gap Between Fishing and Conservation

The online event saw the participation of 75 accounts, including users and staff. It connected Notsuke Fishing Port in Hokkaido with the event venue in Higashi-Shinjuku, Tokyo. Participants had the opportunity to view freshly caught scallops while learning about responsible fishing practices employed by the Notsuke Fishing Cooperative.

In the first segment, Tomoaki Naito, the Executive Director of Notsuke Fishing Cooperative, provided insights into the fishing practices focused on preserving resources for future generations. Notsuke Peninsula, located between the Shiretoko and Nemuro Peninsulas, boasts nutrient-rich fishing grounds due to favorable ocean currents. Here, the cooperative adopts a resource management model that revolves around three core principles: "not overfishing," "sharing resources," and "nurturing the ecosystem."

Notsuke Fishing Cooperative is particularly known for its scallops, utilizing a method called "natural planting," which involves releasing juvenile scallops into the sea and allowing them to grow over four years. By enforcing strict limits on catch quotas and sizes, the cooperative successfully balances resource conservation with sustainable fishing practices.

Tree Planting: A Commitment to the Environment

A hallmark of the Notsuke Fishing Cooperative is its tree-planting initiatives that have been ongoing since 1988. The philosophy behind this effort is based on the idea that the nutrients from the forest flow down the rivers to enrich the sea. The cooperative promotes tree planting along riverbanks, and Pal System has also been a proactive participant since forming a council in 2001, engaging users in tree-planting tours. To date, more than 13,000 trees have been planted, fostering a collaborative effort between consumers and producers to address environmental conservation.

Experiencing the Essence of the Harvest via Live Broadcast

The second half of the event featured a live broadcast from the Notsuke cooperative's processing facility. Viewers were shown the careful process of hand-peeling freshly harvested scallops and were introduced to the latest rapid-freezing technology. The participants responded enthusiastically to a tasting session of the fresh scallops conducted via the live stream.

Addressing Climate Change Challenges

While showcasing the live broadcast, Executive Director Naito expressed serious concerns over the impact of global warming on marine resources. He emphasized the urgent need to enhance the cooperative's resource management practices in the face of rising seawater temperatures, stating, "Given the challenges posed by climate change, it's crucial now more than ever to elevate the resource management practices that were established by our predecessors."

Pal System remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower both producers and consumers as equal partners through direct transactions. This approach aims to protect Japan's fishing industry and environment, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices derived from shared responsibility.

For more information, visit the Pal System Cooperative Federation's website at Pal System.