Reinventing Used Fishing Nets as “Scouring Pads”

Overview

Tenyomaru, a fishing company that conducts purse-seine fishing for anchovies in Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, sells “Ami Eco Scrubbers” made by reusing purse-seine nets that have deteriorated and that are no longer usable as fishing gear. Scrubbers made from processed nylon nets have a high reputation as being durable, long-lasting, and good at removing grime. Fishermen have long used old nets to wash their gear. The idea of commercialization came about when a person said that she wanted to purchase a net scrubbing brush that was then just a gift with purchase for customers who bought processed seafood products.

The nets used for the “Ami Eco Scrubbers” are deteriorated or damaged portions from along a 450-meter-long purse-seine net. The fishing nets, which are used for about 10 years, are washed, cut into 30 cm x 40 cm pieces, sterilized, and folded to the size of the palm of your hand. This process is carried out by fishermen before and after the full moon when the moonlight is bright and the catch is low, as well as on days when the weather is too rough to go out. The packaging is designed to use as little paper as possible while clearly conveying the story that the product is made from fishing nets.

Successful outcomes

• More than 10,000 Ami Eco Scrubbers (297 yen including tax) are sold annually.
• The scrubbers won the grand prize in the "crafts, daily necessities, and other" categories at the 2020 Nagasaki Prefecture Special Products New Exhibition. The scrubbers also received the grand prize at the Nagasaki Design Award 2021 ceremony.

Strong determination to continue fishing in this area as a source of rich ideas

Tenyomaru engages in medium-sized purse-seine fishing for anchovies in Tachibana Bay in Unzen City and manufactures and sells niboshi (boiled and dried anchovies) and processed products. Niboshi is an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and the flavor of soup stock made from niboshi brings out the flavors of other ingredients, creating greater depth and complexity in dishes.

The company also engages in cage fishing for cuttlefish and hagfish, pot fishing for octopus, and farming for mackerel and rock oysters. In addition, the powdered and non-standard dried anchovies produced during the manufacturing process of niboshi is used as feed for mackerel farming and is sold as fertilizer for fields. Tenyomaru director Chiyota Takeshita’s family has been running the fishing industry in Minamikushiyama-cho, Unzen City since 1947 and currently employs 57 people, including full-time and part-time employees.

Even before developing the Ami Eco Scrubbers, Tenyomaru had been commercializing local dishes using anchovies and working to pass on the local fish cuisine culture. “Etari Shiokara” made by salt-pickling anchovies (referred to as “etari” in this area) and placing them in barrels covered with rice straw, as well as “Jitenshameshi Seasoning,” via which people can easily prepare jitenshameshi (seasoned rice prepared by cooking rice together with niboshi, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and burdock root), have been part of the company’s product lineup.

Ami Eco Scrubbers, which were launched in 2019, have been the subject of inquiries from retail stores in urban areas such as Tokyo and Fukuoka, and approximately 15,000 pieces were sold in 2021. However, the company did not actively market its products, and as efforts to contribute to a sustainable society began to attract more attention, the company naturally received calls and began selling more in this way. Ami Eco Scrubbers have been featured several times on TV and in newspapers.

Director Takeshita produced various ideas for product development. He comments: “A purse-seine fishing fleet for anchovies requires approximately 20 people and seven to eight boats. In order to secure that number of people, we had to create jobs outside of the fishing season, so we worked at starting businesses other than purse-seine fishing. Additionally, the number of fishermen in this area has been decreasing year-on-year; therefore, we have taken over their businesses. In order to keep the business and fishing industry afloat, we have produced a range of ideas, told stories, and created sales strategies to create products that address social issues, which has led us to where we are today.”

At Tenyomaru, various initiatives are carried out so as to get people interested in the fishing industry, fishermen, and fish in general. For those interested in becoming a fisherman but who are unsure whether they could continue such a job, Tenyomaru has established a “one-year fisherman” employment system that allows interested parties to work as a fisherman for a limited period of one year. One woman went full time after working for a year. There is also a one-day fishing experience that children and adults can participate in.

Director Takeshita says that he is proud of his work in the fishing industry, which deals with the ever-changing sea and fish in general. He relates: “I would appreciate it if you could feel even a little bit closer to the work of fishermen when you pick up our products.”

Ami Eco Scrubber (Ami Eco Tawashi )

Tenyomaru Co., Ltd.
https://www.tenyo-maru.com/

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