Tuna, which is familiar to Japanese people through sushi and sashimi, has recently become a popular food in the United States and other Asian countries. The consumption of fresh tuna
Fish is a common ingredient on our dinner tables. On the other hand, the rest of the fish, except for the edible parts such as the so-called “ara,” is treated as fish waste. Some fish waste is processed into fishmeal and fish oil, and reused as fertilizer for fields and animal feed, but many of it is incinerated. If we can upcycle discarded fish parts into new materials, we can not only reduce fish residues, but also make use of them in sustainable manufacturing.
Thinksy Corporation, which develops the fish leather brand “tototo,” which processes fish skin into leather products, will collaborate with the UNDP Accelerator Labs, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) research institute, to address issues in the independent country of Oceania and Samoa starting in March 2023. The project will begin in March 2023.
The United Nations Development Programme has established UNDP Accelerator Labs around the world to solve issues faced by developing countries in a sustainable manner. In Japan, the UNDP Accelerator Labs and the private sector will collaborate in the “Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge” from 2020 to solve issues in developing countries. In Samoa, which has been selected as a target country for activities in FY2023, Thinksy Corporation has been selected to provide its technology.
Samoan beach fale
In the island nation of Samoa, coastal fishing is one of the main industries. However, 40-60% of the catch is discarded, resulting in significant economic and environmental losses. In order to overcome this situation and revitalize Samoa’s economy, it is necessary to devise ways to convert discarded fish into resources. Solving Samoa’s fisheries problems will also lead to the achievement of multiple targets, such as the 14th goal of the SDGs, “Protect the richness of the oceans.
In the future, Thinksy Corporation plans to establish fish leather manufacturing technology within Samoa. The company also aims to build a foundation for local people to manufacture and sell fish leather on their own, rather than simply providing fish leather technology and human resources. By creating a sustainable fishing system that does not produce waste, the project will be able to address Samoa’s problems from the ground up.
Currently, tototo sells items made of fish leather, such as card cases and watch belts. Leather items are often used as fixtures in hotels and restaurants, such as cash trays, menu covers, and amenities, not to mention daily necessities. By choosing items that customers pick up from a sustainable perspective, we believe we can convey the attitude of the store to customers.
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[Reference site] I want to protect the sea – tototo
[Reference Site] Fish leather brand “tototo” selected as a partner for the Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP ).
[Reference site] Norinchukin Research Institute Co.,Ltd.: Current Status and Issues of Fishery Waste Disposal
