TOKYO - A group of aquafarmers said Wednesday it will cultivate demand for giant eels, weighing about twice as much as those normally found on the market, as part of its drive to cope with declining stocks of juvenile eels and strengthen the farming industry.
The union of eel farmers' cooperatives plans to sell such supersized eels of 500 grams or more at affordable prices from November, including via some online markets, supermarkets and restaurants. An eel of that size could serve two to three people.
Large eels require more deboning work than smaller ones found in the market such as those weighing between 200 and 250 grams.
Eel farming uses juvenile eels, stocks of which are declining, so some farmers in Japan have been trying to cultivate bigger eels.
"We can reduce the risk of relying on imported juvenile eels" by increasing the supply capacity of farmed eels, an industry official said.
