Overview We are planning to build a facility for processing seafood products. The funds raised will be used to purchase equipment necessary for production. --- About Us Hello! I am Eijiro Sato, the CEO of Ecco Co., Ltd. I am the captain of a bottom trawl fishing boat in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. After taking over the family business from my father, I incorporated it to further promote the fishing industry. Currently, I am the youngest captain in Akita Prefecture in the bottom trawl fishing sector. As a family business, I am the fourth-generation captain. --- What We Aim to Achieve with This Project During fishing, many fish that are edible but too small, lack buyers, or cannot be shipped in bulk are discarded. To address this issue, we want to focus on producing seafood products. This effort also aligns with the SDGs. By processing the fish we catch and delivering them to consumers, we aim to expand into a sixth-order industry, increase online sales, and provide local school lunches to promote food education among children. However, we currently face challenges: We lack permits for seafood manufacturing. We do not have a certified facility. We lack equipment for mass production. By addressing these issues, we believe we can produce and sell seafood products at affordable prices since we do not need to purchase raw fish. Additionally, Akita has few famous seafood products. We aim to create such products to showcase the deliciousness of Akita's seafood and promote its charm. --- Why We Chose Crowdfunding Winter storms allow us time to focus on processing products. We want more people to discover Akita’s delicious seafood. We aim to highlight the appeal of the fishing industry. We hope many people will enjoy eating fish. --- Previous Activities Hosted internships to bring young people closer to the fishing industry, welcoming nearly 20 students. Conducted classes at local fisheries high schools to showcase the fun and rewarding aspects of fishing. Organized fishing experiences to increase the number of young fishermen. Held annual boat tours as part of elementary school social studies programs. Represented Akita’s young fishermen at the Emperor’s “Abundant Sea Creation Festival,” pledging to promote Akita’s fishing industry. --- What Are Unutilized Fish? Unutilized fish refer to those excluded from traditional market routes due to: Size irregularities. Minor damage. Oversupply or undersupply. Lesser-known local species. Nearly 50% of fish caught through bottom trawl fishing is said to be discarded, despite being perfectly edible. --- Use of Funds 1. Purchase Equipment for Seafood Processing 2. Facility Construction 3. CAMPFIRE Fees --- Rewards Rewards may take time due to weather and sourcing conditions. Thank you for your understanding. Products will be shipped as soon as they are ready. Delivery periods have been set accordingly. --- Closing Words Despite the challenges posed by heavy rain damage, we remain committed to delivering delicious fish. We hope you’ll enjoy our seafood and join us in overcoming these difficulties to advance the fishing industry. Thank you for reading until the end! --- Planned Allocation of Funds Funds raised will be used for: Equipment costs. If the target amount is exceeded, the extra funds will be used for project operations. --- Report Project Issues Ecco Co., Ltd. First-Time Project Not Certified --- For more details, please check the original Japanese text.
