Fisheries Research Agency Confirms Fermented Seaweed is Effective for Red Sea Bream Iridovirus Infection, Begins Testing Mass Fermentation Technology for Unused Seaweed.

Tokyo, Japan, Mar 20, 2006 - (JCN) - The Fisheries Research Agency (FRA) announced on March 17 that fermented seaweed is effective in controlling red sea bream iridovirus (RSBI) infection. In collaboration with Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui), the FRA has fermented ecklonia, a kind of seaweed, with lactic acid bacteria.

The joint research group mixed the conventional feed with the fermentation product, fed red sea breams, which were infected with iridovirus, with the mixed meal, and observed developments.

The researchers have confirmed that a red sea bream group given the mixed meal has survived significantly longer than a group without it.

The FRA has concluded that the mixed meal helps improve resistance to iridovirus. This discovery may contribute to the chemical-free cultivation of fish.

Details of the research will be presented at the 18th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science to be held in Kochi on March 30.

The FRA also announced on March 17 that it has begun an experiment with Marine Silo, a device for fermenting seaweed, in collaboration with Fuyo Ocean Development, Ebara Jitsugyo and the Hamanako Utilization Council.

Over the next two years, the four partners will strive to develop a Marine Silo, which will be equipped with two 300-litter fermentation tanks, and examine optimal conditions for fermentation.

The partners aim to establish a key technology for the effective utilization of unused seaweed such as sea lettuce. In particular, they envision applications of fermented seaweed in feeds and fertilizers.

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