Kurose Yellowtail is produced through a complete aquaculture process, where eggs are collected from parent fish, hatched, and then grown

Nissui Aims to Become the World's Leading Producer of 'Kurose Yellowtail'

JAPAN
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

Kurose Yellowtail, renowned as the finest farmed yellowtail, offers a perfect balance of moderate fattiness and firm texture, making it an enjoyable delicacy year-round.

Nissui Group is committed to producing approximately 15,000 tons of fully farmed Kurose Yellowtail by 2030, positioning itself as a global leader in yellowtail aquaculture. The company is building a 16,000-ton production system that includes Amanose Yellowtail and amberjack, while integrating the latest technology to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Nissui's Oita Marine Research Center conducts research and development specializing in aquaculture. .The top is a fully farmed Kurose yellowtail, which is produced using various farming techniques. Compared to the bottom, which is farmed from wild seedlings, it is much larger even after the same growing period.

Expanding Sustainable Practices: Fish Leather from Kurose Yellowtail

Kurose Suisan Co., Ltd. (CEO: Sutematsu Tachikawa, Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture), a subsidiary of Nissui Group specializing in yellowtail farming, has launched test sales of "namino leather"—a sustainable fish leather upcycled from the skin of fully farmed Kurose Yellowtail.

Traditionally, the skins of farmed yellowtail were discarded or repurposed as fertilizer. Now, through innovative upcycling, these skins are transformed into high-quality fish leather. This spring, test sales of namino leather will begin, targeting apparel manufacturers in Europe, the U.S., and Japan, where sustainability is a key industry focus.

Sustainable Yellowtail Farming: A Fully Controlled Process

Kurose Yellowtail is produced through a complete aquaculture cycle:

1. Eggs are collected from parent fish.

2. Hatchlings are raised under controlled conditions.

3. Adult fish are grown and allowed to spawn naturally.

This method eliminates the need for wild-caught juvenile fish, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional yellowtail farming.

The fish are raised in Nissui’s facilities in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, then swiftly processed into fillets at the company’s plant while still fresh. These high-quality fillets are shipped domestically and internationally year-round.

To minimize waste, byproducts such as heads, bones, skin, and tails are used as fertilizer. Now, with the development of namino leather, the company is further reducing waste while introducing an eco-friendly product to the fashion industry.

Namino Leather: A Sustainable Alternative for Fashion

Namino leather is created in collaboration with a Japanese tannery specializing in high-quality fish leather production. The apparel industry has increasingly shifted towards ethical and environmentally responsible materials, reducing reliance on traditional animal skins and petroleum-based synthetics.

Through namino leather, Nissui is providing a sustainable material option while promoting resource efficiency in the fashion industry.

Product Features of Namino Leather

• Unique Aesthetic: The fine, natural scale patterns of yellowtail skin create an elegant texture that cannot be replicated through embossing.

• Sustainable Sourcing: Made from 100% farmed yellowtail, ensuring no reliance on wild fish stocks.

• Full Traceability: The entire process—from egg collection and farming to processing and production—is 100% traceable.

• Versatile Application: Can be processed and used like conventional leathers, such as cowhide or horse leather.

• Size Specifications:

  • Width: 35–45 cm

  • Length (head side): 15–20 cm

  • Length (tail side): 5–10 cm

Namino Leather Variations

Nissui offers four product lines, each tailored for different aesthetic and functional needs:

1. Kurose – Tanned with natural tannins and urethane-coated for durability.

2. Shiranami – Chrome-free, synthetic tannin tanned, with a urethane finish.

3. Kiranami – Features metallic processing for a stylish finish.

4. Kinpa & Ginpa – Foil-stamped for a luxurious, decorative appearance.

Four collections are available, each with different characteristics depending on the tanning and finishing -->

Custom processing is available to meet specific design needs.

Namino Leather is a registered trademark of Nissui Co., Ltd.

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