UMITO Partners Co., Ltd.
[Eat and support! Sustainability of the sea and fisheries] “UMITO SEAFOOD” Additive-free “pasta sauce” and “Ajillo” made using octopus from Tomamae Town, Hokkaido and Tsukihigai from Eguchihama, Kagoshima Prefecture are now on sale
~ Delivering seafood from fishermen aiming for sustainable fishing! UMITO Partners, which promotes sustainability of the ocean and fisheries, begins EC operation ~
……
UMITO Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo,
Representative Director: Haruji Murakami), which conducts consulting business with the purpose of “creating a positive relationship between seawater and humans,” has a concept of “delicious fishing that can be eaten and made.” We will start selling two types of processed seafood products (pasta sauce and ajillo) using seafood “UMITO SEAFOOD” procured from fishermen aiming for sustainable fishing. In addition to the product launch, we have also opened a new EC site
(https://umitoseafood.com/) that sells marine products that contribute to the sustainability of the ocean and fisheries.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/104554/22/resize/d104554-22-e8f45aafb3d5d8e306da-2.jpg&s3=104554-22-fb9f7492d36df4432430bf5e22461a06-3900×3900.jpg] What is “UMITO SEAFOOD”?
UMITO SEAFOOD is a seafood product that supports fishermen who aim for more sustainable fishing and protect the ocean, and allows each consumer to create a positive impact on the ocean.
The important thing for the sustainability of marine resources is to maintain a state in which the amount of marine products produced is greater than the amount caught. However, in order to achieve this, fishermen must take various measures, such as adjusting the amount of fishery resources they catch. UMITO SEAFOOD is a product made with seafood that is full of stories, created by fishermen who conduct their own research and independently and advanced management of marine resources, in order to realize the sustainability of the ocean and fisheries. It is a product that creates a delicious and virtuous cycle for the ocean, the fishing industry, and us.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/104554/22/resize/d104554-22-735f4bb42e4a2a60975b-0.png&s3=104554-22-e4dc25157b1ed49a484dd98e87efba61-1526×882.png ]
Background of UMITO Partners’ first toC business, product development and EC site opening
[Ocean issues]
Japan has the world’s 6th largest exclusive economic zone. It is one of the world’s leading biodiversity hotspots, home to about 3,700 species (of which about 1,900 are endemic), or about 25% of the world’s 15,000 species of marine fish, and is a fishing ground that nurtures rich marine resources. On the other hand, marine
environmental issues are becoming more apparent, such as changes in the marine environment, a decrease in marine resources, an increase in endangered marine species, marine environmental pollution, and deterioration of marine habitats.
The results of the fiscal year 2020 fishery resource assessment conducted by the government*1 show that the status of the resources is “low: 44%,” “medium: 22%,” and “high: 22%,” so the status of the resources cannot be said to be good. This situation has heightened concerns about the sustainable use of marine resources, and the decline in the number of fishermen employed and the number of fishing cooperatives has accelerated the decline of fishing villages and local economies.
*1 Reference: Fisheries Agency FY2020 Fisheries White Paper
https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/kikaku/wpaper/r04_h/trend/1/t1_3_1.html [Consumers support the sustainability of the ocean and fisheries through food] Compared to agricultural products, which have a common understanding of the word “organic,” consumers do not understand or know what constitutes “ethical” or “sustainable” for seafood. Throughout our efforts, we have often received feedback from general consumers asking, “How can we also contribute?” In order to respond to these consumer voices and support efforts to protect the richness of the ocean throughout society, we have launched UMITO Partners’ first toC business in earnest, including product planning and sales. This is a product created by our company, which provides fisheries industry consulting based on scientific knowledge, in collaboration with producers, based on the concept of “delicious fishing that you can eat.”
In addition, through consumption behavior, this product supports SDGs Goal 14: “Protect the abundance of the ocean” = consideration for the marine environment and marine resources, and Goal 12: “Responsible production and consumption” = consideration for the abundance of the ocean. This will lead to the achievement of ethical consumption. [Make consumption more accessible to protect and nurture the ocean. Product Commitment]
The focus of the pasta sauce and Ajillo released this time is “consideration for marine resources,” “traceability,” and
“additive-free.” As a company that promotes not only deliciousness but also the sustainability of the ocean and fisheries, we offer ethical seafood that helps protect and nurture the ocean through our consumption of food.
● Consideration for the marine environment and marine resources We carry seafood that is made with consideration to the marine environment and efforts that prevent the loss of marine life during the catching and raising process.
●Traceability
We handle products made from marine products that show who, where, and how they were caught and raised.
●No additives
No preservatives, colorants or other additives.
About the product
[“Pasta Sauce” Product Overview]
We use octopus from fishermen in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, who are working to create a prosperous town through sustainable fishing. Contains plenty of coarsely ground octopus to bring out its flavor and texture to the fullest. The refreshing scent of basil and the accent of lemon bring out the flavor of the octopus even more.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/104554/22/resize/d104554-22-3478465cb8ff46c47884-3.jpg&s3=104554-22-eb9e38957fbeab71c23300ab9ac937b5-3900×3900.jpg] Product name: Lemon basil pasta sauce using octopus from Tomamae, Hokkaido Main marine products used: Octopus
Standards: Frozen products
Contents: 150g
Price: 1,400 yen (tax included)
Main sales destination (as of February 8, 2024): In-house EC (https://umitoseafood.com)
Sales period: February 8, 2024 (Thursday) ~ Ends as soon as supplies last Concept: Ethical/Sustainable/Eat and support/B Corp certified product/Additive-free
Product page: https://umitoseafood.com/products/mizudako-pastasauce [“Ahijo” product overview]
Using Tsukihigai from Eguchihama, Kagoshima Prefecture, which engages in sustainable fishing, and octopus from Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, this product brings together the deliciousness of the northern and southern seas. Known as “tropical scallops,” the oil has a chewy texture and the rich flavor of sea octopus and sea octopus, and is delicious when dipped on bread or mixed with pasta. A luxurious ajillo made with two whole pieces of precious Tsukihigai, which are rarely distributed outside the prefecture.
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/104554/22/resize/d104554-22-058a6ccebf8819e21d98-4.jpg&s3=104554-22-25cbbbc93e543f49f4f66a0f93a2c143-3900×3900.jpg] Product name: Ajillo of Tsukihigai from Eguchihama, Kagoshima Prefecture and Octopus from Tomamae Town, Hokkaido
Main marine products used: Tsukihigai + Blue octopus
Standards: Frozen products
Contents: 180g
Price: 1,500 yen (tax included)
Main sales destination (as of February 8, 2024): In-house EC (https://umitoseafood.com)
Sales period: February 8, 2024 (Thursday) ~ Ends as soon as supplies last Concept: Ethical/Sustainable/Eat and support/B Corp certified product/Additive-free
Product page: https://umitoseafood.com/products/tsukihigai-mizudako-ajillo Production STORY
[Octopus producers: Tomamae-cho, Hokkaido Octopus Barrel Nagashi Subcommittee] Tomamae Town is located in the northwestern part of Hokkaido. Fisheries sustainability is essential for the survival of this region, which is home to approximately 2,700 people and whose population is decreasing and aging. Since 2019, about 30 local fishermen and UMITO Partners have been recording data and working towards sustainable fishing by managing fisheries according to the number of octopuses in the sea.
*For details on the production story of the octopus used in this product, please see below.
https://umitoseafood.com/pages/story-mizudako
https://umitopartners.com/works/hokkaido/
[Tsukihigai producer: Yuichi Sasa and his friends from Eguchihama, Kagoshima Prefecture]
Eguchihama in Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, facing the East China Sea, is also famous as a sunset beach with beautiful sunsets. Sasa, a former management consultant who immigrated from the Kanto region, was fascinated by the delicious and beautiful Tsukihigai. In order to realize a sustainable fishing industry and region together with my friends, I am working on a fishery where we can catch and protect the tsukihigai by investigating their ecology and the number of them in the sea, which are still unknown.
*For details on the production story of the Tsukihigai used in this product, please see below.
https://umitoseafood.com/pages/story-tsukihigai
Comment from UMITO Partners Representative Director Haruji Murakami ~Product creation as a B Corp company~
At UMITO Partners, we have contributed to the enrichment of sea and human life while valuing the support of fishermen who operate or plan to engage in environmentally friendly fishing. Among B Corp’s five perspectives (governance, employees, community, environment, and customers), B Corp is highly praised for its positive impact on the marine environment through collaboration with its fishermen customers. UMITO SEAFOOD is a seafood product that supports fishermen who aim for sustainable fishing and protect the ocean, and allows each consumer to create a positive impact on the ocean.
Through product development, we would like to work with more people to create a rich virtuous cycle between the sea and people.
Related information:
UMITO Partners receives “B Corp certification” as a company promoting sustainability of the ocean and fisheries
https://umitopartners.com/2023/04/umito-bcorp/
About UMITO Partners
A consulting company that operates with the purpose of “creating positive relationships between sea creatures and humans.” In addition to consulting for acquiring International Fisheries Eco Labels (MSC/ASC, etc.) certification, sustainable fishing projects, and consulting for companies and local governments rooted in the sustainability of fishing communities and society, we also provide consulting services for businesses and local governments that are rooted in the sustainability of fishing communities and society. We plan and conduct projects to ensure that production sites, businesses, local communities, restaurants, consumers, etc., have a positive relationship with the ocean. In April 2023, as a company that promotes the sustainability of the ocean and fisheries, we acquired the B Corp certification, an international certification system originating in the United States for companies with high public interest that are considerate of society and the environment.
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/104554/22/resize/d104554-22-07dcafe84ba55f2f0f8a-1.jpg&s3=104554-22-1107bcd26d7cd7e1bb23f5b4dc43b882-3755×841.jpg] ■Company name: UMITO Partners Co., Ltd.
■URL: https://umitopartners.com/
■Location: 4-5 Kanda Nishifukudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 1F/B1F ■Representative: Haruji Murakami
■Established: June 1, 2021
■Business details:
Fisheries International Eco Label Certification Consulting
Business/Distribution Business Consulting and Distribution Support for Marine Products/PR/Branding Business for Marine Products and Fisheries/Management/Business Consulting and Implementation
Support/Regional PR/Branding Business and Consulting Business through Fisheries/Sustainability Training, Planning and management of seminars, symposiums, events, etc. and related consulting
business/Survey, analysis, research business and survey research project management in marine and fisheries sciences
■Fisheries/aquaculture industry consulting support:
Hokkaido Tomamae Town Octopus Barrel Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) / Support for obtaining MSC certification for hanging oyster fishing in Oku Town, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture / Kurahashi Island Hanging Oyster Fishing Improvement Project (FIP), Hiroshima Prefecture / Hokkaido Sardine Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) ) / Kesennuma Blue Shark and Swordfish Longline Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), Miyagi Prefecture / Tokyo Bay Perch Purse Net Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture / Red Sea Bream Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP), Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture ・Support for obtaining ASC certification / Wakayama Nachikatsuura Town Albacore Tuna Longline Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)/Miyagi Prefecture Onagawa Town Coho Salmon Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP)/ASC certification acquisition support More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000022.000104554.html