In June 2024, a new startup, Kwahuu Ocean Inc., was founded based on research from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) with the goal of establishing a sustainable squid aquaculture business.
Kwahuu Ocean operates with the mission of "connecting the ocean and humanity to build a philosophy and social system that ensures stability and prosperity for the next seven generations." Rooted in Okinawa, the company’s name, Kwahuu, from the Okinawan word for "good fortune", reflects its commitment to both human happiness and the sustainable future of marine ecosystems. The company is currently working with the Fisheries Cooperative in Okinawa to construct the world's first land-based aquaculture facility for oval squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana), known locally as shirui-cher.
From art to science
Dr. Ryuta Nakajima, founder and CEO of Kwahuu Ocean, initially pursued a career in contemporary art and currently serves as a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Department of Art and Design. His artistic curiosity led him to explore the behavior of cephalopods, such as squids and octopuses, eventually expanding his focus into the field of ecology. Since 2009, he has been investigating their color-changing abilities and communication methods through both artistic and scientific lenses, such as observing how they react to Picasso’s paintings. His experiences with this interdisciplinary approach led him to recognize a fundamental connection between artistic expression and biological perception.
While furthering his research at institutions like the University of Texas and the University of the Ryukyus, Dr. Nakajima joined OIST in 2017 as a visiting researcher in the Physics and Biology Unit led by Professor Jonathan Miller. Around the same time, OIST established the Marine Science Station, which enabled cephalopod-related experiments on campus. However, breeding these delicate creatures presented numerous technical challenges, including finding suitable food sources, maintaining precise water temperature and quality, managing disease risks, and optimizing environmental conditions to minimize stress. "These challenges were not easy to overcome," Dr. Nakajima recalls. "However, the expertise of OIST researchers, combined with the university’s cutting-edge facilities and support, played a crucial role in advancing squid aquaculture techniques."
A breakthrough in squid aquaculture
In August 2022, the OIST Marine Science Station achieved a groundbreaking milestone: successfully breeding squid across ten consecutive generations. This achievement, unprecedented on a global scale, attracted significant attention within and beyond Okinawa. Given that squid are highly sensitive to environmental changes and are notoriously difficult to raise over long periods, sustaining a stable population for ten generations was a major scientific accomplishment.
This breakthrough also had broader societal implications. Okinawa’s annual catch rate of oval squid has declined by a staggering 98% from its peak, with the population of the species now in a critical state. In response, many fishermen and industry stakeholders have expressed urgent interest in the technology, with comments like "we’ve been struggling with declining squid populations in recent years, and we have high hopes for this research." Witnessing this demand firsthand, Dr. Nakajima realized the significant social value of his research and its potential to address real-world problems.
In June 2024, Dr. Nakashima, who had been involved in this project, co-founded Kwahuu Ocean together with Daiki Takamiyagi, a former marine research technician at OIST. The company has secured funding from Lifetime Ventures and is advancing its efforts toward further technological development and commercialization.
Building a sustainable squid aquaculture system
OIST holds a patent for the techniques required for stable multi-generational squid breeding, and Kwahuu Ocean is utilizing these innovations along with OIST’s operational knowhow to develop a sustainable squid breeding system. Rather than focusing on mass production, the company aims to establish decentralized, small-scale aquaculture systems that align with the natural life cycle of the squid and the finite resources of marine life.
Looking ahead, the company plans to go beyond aquaculture and establish a fully integrated industry model, encompassing production, distribution, and consumption. This involves initiatives like creating artificial spawning reefs, restoring seaweed beds to revitalize marine ecosystems, and providing fishermen with new business models based on this sustainable aquaculture system. In taking this multi-faceted approach, Kwahuu Ocean seeks to foster not only environmental restoration but also cultural and societal growth.
Dr. Nakajima also emphasizes the cultural significance of this endeavor, pointing out that "traditional Okinawan dishes like ika-sumi-jiru (squid ink soup) are becoming rarer. By cultivating squid sustainably, we can preserve Okinawa’s rich culinary heritage while respecting and appreciating the island’s natural resources."
Kwahuu Ocean’s work represents a pioneering model for sustainable marine resource utilization, with the potential to influence global practices. "Squid can serve as a bridge between local communities and the world," says Dr. Nakajima. This project embodies the vast potential of Okinawa’s technology and its promise for the future.
