Hotaruika and deep-sea water

Hotaruika (firefly squid)

ホタルイカその1

What is Hotaruika?

Hotaruika (firefly squid) lives in the sea from 200 to 600 meters deep with a body length of about 7 cm and a weight of about 10 g. It is also known as "Koika" or "Matsuika".
The firefly squids are migratory one year fish, and flock to Toyama Bay in a large number during spawning season (from March to May). Although they are distributed all over the world, it is rare not only in Japan but also in the world to find them flock to a limited area in such a large number. This area is therefore called “the sea area of firefly squid, flock together (Firefly squids flock to Toyama Bay in a large number)”, and it is designated as a Special Natural Treasure of the country.
Each individual has about 1,000 small light emitters that radiate bluish-white light. Emitting this “mysterious” light is said to be for various purposes, such as threatening enemies, protecting itself against enemies by disappearing its own shadows, and distinguishing its members.
Because this light resembles that of a firefly, it is named "firefly squid".

ホタルイカその2

Firefly squid fishing in Namerikawa

Fishing the firefly squids in Toyama Bay uses the "off-shore fixed net", which induces the female firefly squids getting near the sea surface from the deep sea for spawning in spring. Unlike the fishing method which takes many flocks at once with a bottom net, it is called "resource-friendly fishery" or "fisheries coexisting with nature.”
11 sets of off-shore fixed nets are installed in Namerikawa for fishing along the coast about 3 km away from the fishing port. The nets made of straw have been used since long time ago, and they are said to have the effect of creating good seaweed bed reefs on the ocean floor by cutting off the nets at the end of the fishing season.
In addition, they use deep-sea water to carry fish to the port. They can thus sell firefly squids in healthy and fresh conditions.
That’s why the fishing in Namerikawa is the ideal method to be environmentally friendly as well as to keep freshness of the firefly squids.

ホタルイカ漁その1
ホタルイカ漁その2
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Deep-sea water

海洋深層水の取水の仕組み

Namerikawa has one of a few deep-sea water intake facilities nationwide that provides deep-sea water widely to consumers.
Toyama Bay is endowed with a unique topography where the bay entrance widely opens, only place on the side of Japan Sea. Therefore, deep-sea water with enormous potential can be taken.
Deep-sea water refers to seawater at a depth of more than 200 m. Since the light of the sun does not reach there, temperature is stably low throughout the year. It has high specific gravity due to the accumulation of inorganic nutrient salts, so it does not mix with the sea water at the surface. Therefore, it is abundant in minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium essential for human.
Deep-sea water, which is difficult to get in other areas, is easy to be obtained and quite familiar in Namerikawa.