Flounder Culture and Its Challenges in Asia

Abstract

Japanese flounder, Paralichythys olivaceus, is a temperate marine species cultured in coastal areas of Japan, Korea, and China. Recent annual production is roughly estimated to be 28,000 metric tons (MT) in these areas. Flounder culture is totally dependent on the supply of artificially produced juveniles, and is mostly done in flowthrough systems. Japan developed and established the seed production technology of this species. Until the 1980s, flounder was cultured only in Japan, but through the transfer of technologies from Japan to Korea, and then China, production has increased rapidly. Products are distributed as live fish and consumed as raw fish, or “sashimi”, at a relatively high price. Flounder culture has suffered from the outbreak of various diseases, together with a decreased demand in its niche market. Closed recirculating systems and deep seawater utilization should be considered as countermeasures to reduce the cost and improve the quality in the future.