#Japan #Watami #Katsuura #Bream

Introduction

In a bid to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through local resource utilization, Watami Inc., based in Ota City, Tokyo, has launched a new item in their home delivery frozen meals service called 'Watami no Takushoku Direct' (Watami's Home Meal Delivery). The new dish, 'Katsuura's Bream Stew,' is designed to provide customers with tasty and nutritionally balanced meals anytime. By working closely with a dedicated nutritionist, Watami ensures that every dish is thoughtfully crafted, mindful of salt levels, calories, and ingredient variety.

About the New Dish

The 'Katsuura's Bream Stew' utilizes low-utilization fish, specifically the bream harvested from Katsuura City in Chiba Prefecture. This new offering was made possible through collaboration with the Shin-Katsuura Fisheries Cooperative, Nishikawa Corporation, and the Chiba Prefectural government. The dish features bite-sized pieces of bream cooked in a sweet soy sauce, highlighted by thick, tender flesh and a delightful, firm texture.

Nutritional Breakdown

• - Main Dish: Katsuura's Bream Stew
• - Side Dishes: Dried Daikon Salad with Tuna Mayo, Butter Soy Sauce Carrots and Shimeji Mushrooms
• - Nutritional Information: 238 kcal, Sodium: 1.9g, Protein: 23.3g, Fat: 8.0g, Carbohydrates: 18.2g

Background of Development

Along the Chiba coastline, vast underwater kelp forests called 'moba' play a vital role as feeding grounds for important seafood like abalone and turban shell. Unfortunately, recent years have seen a significant loss of these kelp beds due to a phenomenon known as 'isoyake' (kelp death), of which signs are evident even in Katsuura's surrounding waters. One factor contributing to this decline is the increase in fish species like bream that consume the kelp. The rising water temperatures and changing marine conditions have prompted a surge in their numbers, necessitating management strategies to mitigate their impact on the ecosystem.

To combat this issue, local fishers are actively engaging in the removal of bream via gill netting. As the bream is often overlooked and underappreciated, it is categorized as a low-utilization fish with limited market value.

Recognizing the need for responsible utilization of the local fishery resources, Watami collaborated with local partners to successfully commercialize this new offering. The initiative aims to promote both the sustainability of fishery practices and the revitalization of the local economy.

Contribution to the SDGs

This endeavor aligns with several key SDGs:

• - Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — Effective use of low-utilization fish.
• - Goal 14: Life Below Water — Promoting sustainable usage of regional fishery resources.
• - Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals — Collaborative efforts between businesses, government, and local communities to address social issues.

Moving forward, Watami aims to continue collaborating with not only fishery stakeholders but also local students and citizens to sustain and invigorate fishing villages, ensuring the responsible use of aquatic resources and actively contributing to the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems.

Purchase Information

The 'Katsuura's Bream Stew' is available through the 'Always Three Dishes' selection set, which can be ordered on a recurring basis or as a one-time purchase:

• - Select Set (Regular 10 Meal Set): Order here (Choose 10 meals of your preference with delivery frequency options of 7, 14, or 28 days.)
• - Select Set (One-time 10 Meal Set): Order here (Choose 10 meals with a one-off delivery based on your preferences.)

About Watami's Home Meal Delivery

Watami’s Home Meal Delivery offers frozen dishes designed by nutritionists, delivering well-balanced meals to your doorstep. When stocked in your freezer, these meals are readily available for whenever you need them. The meals are tailored to suit busy lifestyles, from families to those living alone, and seniors. Watami seeks to add joy to customer life through a combination of taste and convenience, ever-responsive to customer feedback in their culinary pursuits.

For more about Watami’s Home Meal Delivery, visit: Watami