Brazil and Japan strengthen aquaculture and blue economy partnerships

A delegation from the Brazilian Ministry of Fishing and Aquaculture (MPA) conducted an official mission to Japan from August 17 to 22 to strengthen bilateral ties in the blue economy, aquaculture, and sustainable fishing. Led by Executive Secretary Lázaro Medeiros and National Secretary Carlos de Mello, the group participated in the Japan International Seafood & Technology fair to identify technological trends and new export channels for Brazilian products such as tilapia, tuna, lobster, shrimp, and Amazonian fish species.

Key discussions included meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and technical visits to the Toyosu Metropolitan Fish Market in Tokyo. The mission also focused on marine conservation and seaweed cultivation (algiculture) through dialogues with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.

A central initiative presented was the “Blue Seaweed Carbon Brasil-Japão” project, a collaboration between the MPA and Rede Algicultura BR. This project aims to develop macro and microalgae production for human consumption, agricultural biostimulants, and cattle feed to reduce methane emissions. The initiative includes establishing pilot seaweed farms in Brazil’s Northeast region and developing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) methodologies to quantify blue carbon sequestration.