The National Research and Development Centre for Riverine and Lake Fisheries (NRDCRLF), Nyachhu, Haa, warmly welcomed Mr. Tokuji Asakura, Senior Managing Director of OJI Salmon Co., Ltd., based at Ariake-cho, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido, in Japan. His visit to the Centre today, was accompanied by a Bhutanese translator/Japanese interpreter and a guide Mr. Pema Wangchuk and logistics arranged from Zhidey Bhutan Tours and Trek.

The visit provided a valuable platform for technical exchange and knowledge sharing on rainbow trout aquaculture, hatchery management and grow-out production. The Centre team made a brief presentation and clarification on the key areas of interest shared by OJI Salmon Co., Ltd. ahead of the visit, covering Bhutan’s trout production and seed-supply system, hatchery and broodstock management, production practices, feed and feeding, water-quality requirements, fish health and biosecurity, and opportunities for technical cooperation.

Following the presentation, the delegation undertook an informal technical discussion and field visit to the Centre’s hatchery and outdoor fish-rearing units, where practical experiences and observations were shared on trout production and farm management. Particular interest was given to the technical feasibility and management practices associated with growing salmon/trout to approximately 3 kg per fish within a production period of around one year, drawing on OJI Salmon’s experience and the Centre’s ongoing interest in improving production efficiency and exploring large-size trout production under Bhutanese conditions.

The interaction also opened avenues for exploring potential areas of technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, human-resource development and possible collaborative pilot trials in freshwater aquaculture.

NRDCRLF appreciates the visit of OJI Salmon Co., Ltd. and looks forward to continued technical dialogue and meaningful collaboration towards strengthening and advancing sustainable cold-water aquaculture in Bhutan.