100 Stories1980 Technology-Forward Fish Habitat, Artificial Reefs

Japan is an island country surrounded by sea from every direction. Seafood culture has long taken root in Japan. In recent years, the severe lack of seafood, especially in children’s diets, has become a concern. However, seafood is indispensable in Japanese cuisine for making dishes, such as sushi, simmered fish, and grilled fish.

For the food culture to thrive, a stable supply of ingredients is essential. However, Japan’s fishing industry experienced a drop in fishing quotas multiple times, causing a crisis. That is why Asahi Kasei created a business to support Japan’s fishing industry and seafood culture.

Up until the 1970s, Japan’s fishing industry has been expanding its catchment area every year, but fishing zones were established across 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km), making it gradually more difficult to further expand fishing zones.

Unable to expand catchment areas, the government was in urgent need of ways to increase fishing quotas and switched to a new direction. “From fisheries that catch to fisheries that create.” With this new motto, a plan centering on aquaculture started. This major shift in policy rapidly brought attention to the aquaculture industry. Asahi Kasei set out to develop artificial reefs that served as a habitat for fish.

Right after this policy was announced, Asahi Kasei started research on artificial reefs made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP), and in 1975, they developed a method for manufacturing artificial reefs using the filament winding technique. Other companies also actively worked on developing artificial reefs. Ever since the First Coastal Fishing Establishment and Development Plan was implemented in 1976, there has been ongoing competition.

However, compared to the artificial reefs made of concrete or plastic, which were common at the time, Asahi Kasei’s artificial reefs made of GFRP were superior in terms of quality, durability, and even cost. This product demonstrated Asahi Kasei’s philosophy of offering good-quality products at a reasonable price. Thanks to the hard work and tenacity of the researchers who developed it, this product outperformed the products developed by other companies.

After receiving great feedback, the GFRP artificial reefs were certified by the Fisheries Agency in 1978 as reefs that fall under the classification of the Coastal Fishing Establishment and Development Act. Asahi Kasei made thorough preparations by establishing a new development department in the company and setting up a production system.

Moreover, Asahi Kasei received a request for cooperation to develop the fishing industry in the U.S. in 1981, and a practical test was conducted on site. As a result, they were submerged in the Atlantic Ocean at the Jackson Coast and the Panama City Coast on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Asahi Kasei’s artificial reefs were not only used in Japan but also expanded overseas.

In 1982, they were also installed in the Amagasaki Fishing Park in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. These were the first artificial reefs to be installed in a leisure facility in Japan, which made them a hot topic at the time. The reason they received such great feedback was their high performance, which enabled them to be used semi-permanently, and having been installed in 32 prefectures in Japan. They were finally installed after competing with the steel artificial reefs until the end.

The GFRP artificial reefs accomplished many achievements and supported Japan’s seafood culture. However, about 30 years after the start of their production, the business was transferred to Okabe Co., Ltd. in 2008. Having the technology to cultivate seaweed and develop seaweed beds, Okabe’s Ocean Development Department is currently conducting research on water greening in coastal zones.

*Reference: The Guidelines to Turing Shipwreck into FRP reefs by the Fisheries Agency
With the growing need for establishing a recycling-oriented society and diversifying artificial reef material, the concept of creating a further effective system for disposing of FRP fishing boats abandoned in fishing areas, such as isolated islands, and adequately utilizing them as reefs has been gaining attention. However, the effectiveness, economic viability, durability, and environmental impact of utilizing FRP fishing boats as reefs have not been confirmed. Uncovering these facts and establishing an appropriate technique has become necessary, especially in fishing areas, such as isolated islands.

https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/pdf/frptinsengaidorain21.pdf