What's tuna? → Ecology

Ecology of Tunas

Have you ever seen a tuna swimming?
It might be that few people have seen swimming tuna , even if they have seen them in pictures or movies on TV.
Although it may not be well known, there are several aquariums in Japan that offer ecological exhibits.

Aquariums that offer ecological exhibits of Tunas in Japan

Of the more than 150 aquariums in Japan, only four offer ecological exhibits of Tunas.
They are "Tokyo Sea Life Park", "Kagoshima City Aquarium", "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium" and "Aquamarine Fukushima".

We went to one of them, "Tokyo Sea Life Park" in Kasai, Tokyo, to see swimming bluefin tuna on October 2022, and reported in this page.

Tokyo Sea Life Park

This aquarium was planned as part of the Tokyo Bay Area Development Project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Ueno Zoo, and opened in 1989 with the aim of becoming a "place for interaction between the sea and humans".
It features a large tank of bluefin tuna, the world's first school of pelagic fish, more than 100 penguins, and a wide variety of creatures from all over the world, as well as fish from the "Tokyo Sea". In addition, the "Waterfront Nature" area, which recreates ponds, marshes, streams, and rivers, is located outdoors, providing a place where visitors can encounter creatures that live in a variety of environments.

In 1999, the world's first bluefin tuna successfully spawned in the aquarium, and spawning was also confirmed in 2008 and 2009.


Donut-shaped water pool		Swimming tuna in a group

Swimming tuna was powerful. It looks a few injured tunas, but most of tunas were actively swimming along the same route in a group in the dounat-shape pool. I also saw a few tunas swimming at breakneck speed.
There are some rayers in the doughnut-shaped pool with a partition, and other kinds of fishes were exhibited.

Aquarium exhibiting tuna in Japan

If this page makes you want to go see some tuna, check out the aquarium's website below!

Tokyo Sea Life Park: https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/kasai/index.html
Kagoshima City Aquarium: https://ioworld.jp/english
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: https://churaumi.okinawa/en/
Aquamarine Fukushima: https://www.aquamarine.or.jp/

Tuna Quiz (2)

When is "Tuna Day"?

May 5th

Incorrect!

This day is "Sea Chicken Day" established by HARAKOROMO FOODS CO.
It is registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. The purpose is to make Sea Chicken widely known. This day is date of establishment (1931/5/25) of the company.

October 10th

Correct!

This is Tuna Day, established by the Japan Federation of Bonito and Tuna Fishing Cooperative Associations.
The name "Tuna Fishing Festival" originates from a poem written on October 10 by the Nara-era poet Yamabe Akito, which is included in the Manyoshu (Anthology of Myriad Leaves), in praise of tuna fishing.

16th of every month

Incorrect!

Toro no Hi (Toro Day) was established by Kappa Create Corporation, which operates Kappa Sushi.
The purpose of the day is to promote the restaurants and the industry. The date was chosen because the number 16 is read as "Toro" in Japanese.

Reference

びっくり！マグロ大百科 (translated title: Surprise! Tuna encyclopedia)
　　Publisher：Kodansha
　　Author：Bluefin Tuna Breeding Team, Kasai Aquarium
　　(in Japanese)

BACK