Aquaculture
The abundant waters of Toba Bay have long supported a thriving aquaculture industry. Thanks to the prime location, where the warm north-flowing Japan Current of the Pacific meets the tidal flows from Ise Bay, the waters are a breeding ground for plankton and microorganisms that sustain a healthy underwater ecosystem. Major harvests include madai sea bream, hamachi amberjack, and seaweeds used to prepare nori and other mainstays of Japanese cuisine. The Toba region is particularly renowned for its oyster industry, which utilizes a variety of techniques to cultivate the bivalves for both food and pearls.