Halibut(Flatfish) Cultured in Jeju

Halibut cultured in Jeju is very popular not only in domestic market, but also in Japan where it has captured about 50% of the market share. Thanks to its international competitiveness, it was appointed as a competent product by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy in 2005. Since the seed production technology was developed by the fishery research institute in Kinki University in 1965 in Japan, cultivation of halibut was diffused to the civilian from the later of 1970. Since then, the technology of artificial seed production was established in 1980 and also developed its cultivation method in earnest. Cultivation of halibut in Jeju island was started in 1986 due to the advantageous circumstance of the uncontaminated coastal waters. Particularly, Juju island is considered the best region for the cultivation of halibut because temperature of water can be artificially adjusted by utilizing underground sea water(16-18°C) and the sea waters are not contaminated as well. The production of halibut in Jeju was recorded 20,825 tons(50.5% of total production across the nation) in 2007 and approx. 4,000 tons(93% of total amount of export) out of them are annually exported to Japan, USA., Singapore. etc. Also we have made a chance to prove the excellence of our halibut to the overseas market such as Japan, China by participating in the exhibition for marine products aiming for export market diversification. Currently we are moving forward with plans for the 400 million people of Chinese market in which consumption of marine products are explosively increasing. As an internationally competent product, all of aquaculturists in Jeju island have devoted ourselves with full confidence for the production of eco-friendly halibut which can be consistently reliable by customers. As Jeju island has been upgraded to the Special Self-Governing Province in July 2006, safety inspection center was established in the federation of fisheries cooperative in accordance with the regulation of maine product sanitary & safety inspection and made shipment of clean halibut only which have passed through the test of antibiotic residues in compliance with the standard of Food & Drug Administration in Korea. As a result, our halibut is recognized internationally as being the highest quality of sashimi that can be safely enjoyed by customers. Currently, aquaculturists in Jeju island have raised a variety of halibut, so-called cactus-halibut, obosan-halibut, mushroom-halibut which have been fed with a mixture of feed and herbs of cactus, obosan and mushroom, etc. which are much beneficial for human body. By adopting the traceability system pushed forward by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, we have supplied halibut which has a bar code of individual traceability and strived to provide customers with more fresh and safe halibut cultured in Jeju. Regarding the nutrient of halibut, it contains a plenty of protein, DHA, EPA, so this fish is very suitable for the adults in the later of middle age. Particularly, lysine is a good ingredient for the growth of children and also it can be a healthful food for the aged, diabetes, epileptic patient and the convalescents. Also, it was proved that a lot of collagen and chondroitin sulfuric acid contained in its fin have been highly effective in the care of skin. By application of HACCP in a halibut farm for the first time in the world, we have renovated facilities in 55 fish farms in accordance with the standard during 2005-2008 and the farm no. 1 and no. 2 have already secured the certification of HACCP in 2008. Through our traceability and real-name of distribution system, we will concentrate to keep providing more reliable product of halibut to our customers.