Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate is a scallop variety cultivated in Noda Bay off the coast of Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The product is registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) in Japan. "Araumi" (荒海) means "wild sea" and reflects the nature of the environment in which the scallops are cultivated.
Breeding and Quality Characteristics
A key aspect of raising the Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate is providing an environment with sufficient space for the scallops to swim freely. The scallops are reared in multiple cages in an environment where they can swim freely. Because of their ability to swim freely, their shutter muscles develop a firm texture and flexible elasticity.
The scallops' rearing cycle begins with larvae collected in Noda Bay in April and May. The larvae are captured with egg collectors and raised until July or August, before being transferred to rearing cages. Once ready for shipment, they are distributed to new cages at least five times to facilitate growth. Before shipment and at each subsequent distribution, organisms adhering to their shells are mechanically removed. Shipment to the market occurs one year after egg collection.
47 Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate (Youtube-地理的表示産品情報発信サイト)
Environmental Connection of the Production Area
Noda Bay, home to Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate's farms, is located on the northern part of the Sanriku Coast. This area is characterized by nutrient-rich waters rich in plankton. This abundance is formed by the confluence of the cold north-flowing Oyashio Current (Chishima Current), the northern branch of the south-flowing Kuroshio Current (Japan Current), and the Tsugaru Warm Current. The Oyashio Current is known as the nutrient-rich "parent current" that supports marine life.
History and Geographical Indication Registration
Scallop farming in Noda Bay began in 1973 as a nursery, and scallop production for food also began. Production has increased since the beginning of the Heisei period. Although the fishing industry in the region was damaged by the tsunami that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, local producers resumed egg collection immediately after the earthquake in May 2011. The product was registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) under registration number 47 on November 10, 2017, under the name Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate. The production area is Noda Bay in Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture.
