July 12, 2011 - SDV to Support “France

July 12, 2011 - SDV to Support “France – O-kaeshi” initiative

In the 70’s and 90’s, baby oysters from the Northern part of Japan were exported to France to save the French sick oysters. Indeed, 80% of the larvae in Japan come from Sanriku where very resistant species are produced. So that whenever a country is affected by oyster disease, this area is called for saving their oyster industry.
After the devastating tsunami of March 2011, it was time for France to return the favour. (O-Kaeshi)

Not only the oyster producers lost oyster equipment, but also their ships, work facilities and houses were swept away by the tsunami.

SDV team in France - Mr Saito (Sanriku Oysters); Arnaud Rastoul (SDV Japan)


	To rebuild this world-famous industry, oyster farmers must be ready by the middle of July to meet the growth cycle. To win this challenge, a chain of solidarity started in France and Japan. In France, the “France – O-kaeshi” project is driven by the world's leading manufacturer of oyster farming equipment and supported by the local authorities in Charente-Maritime and in Brittany (Western France) and the NGO “Gambalo Japan”. With the cooperation of SDV in both countries, the first seven-ton shipment of material such as buoys, ropes, life jackets and other equipment arrived on the 5th of July in Kesennuma (Miyagi area). A second shipment of 3.5 tons has been delivered on the 10th of July in the Sanriku region. In Japan, the Sanriku Oysters Company and the Japan Oysters Association are responsible for the distribution of all the materials. Mission accomplished for the SDV teams. The oyster farmers got all the equipment in time. O-Kaeshi means “return gift” in Japanese. Rebuild a prosperous region thanks to the oysters industry will be the best gift ever.