[CIAC2025] The World's Cephalopod Researchers Gather in Okinawa — What KeyStone Learned About the Future of Squid Farming
In October 2025, KeyStone — an egi maker — took part as a sponsor in CIAC2025, the international cephalopod conference held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). Through a visit to the research team that achieved the world's first 10 successive generations of captive-bred bigfin reef squid, we reflect on the future of squid and our own role.
CIAC2025 — Under the Theme "Complexity & Beauty"
CIAC2025 Overview
- Official Name
- Cephalopod International Advisory Council 2025 in Okinawa
- Theme
- Complexity & Beauty
- Dates
- Saturday, October 25 – Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Venue
- Conference Center, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
- Participants
- Over 200 cephalopod researchers from around the world
CIAC (Cephalopod International Advisory Council) is an international academic body for cephalopod research founded in 1983. Held once every three years, its international conference brings together researchers from a wide range of fields — genomics, behavioral science, molecular biology, fisheries science and more — and is known as the world's largest cephalopod conference.
In Japan it has previously been held in Tokyo and Hakodate, making this Okinawa event the third. A varied program unfolded, including workshops, poster presentations, art exhibitions, and public lectures.
Why Would an Egi Maker Attend a Conference? — KeyStone's Thinking
Know the Squid
To make better egi, it is essential to deeply understand the behavioral ecology and visual characteristics of squid. Insights from academic research are the driving force behind our product development.
Protect the Squid
The sustainable use of squid as a fisheries resource and the conservation of the marine environment. As an egi maker, we have a responsibility to protect the future of fishing.
Share the Squid
Delivering the cutting-edge knowledge gained at the conference in an easy-to-understand way to everyone who enjoys eging is also an important part of our role.
The Frontier of Squid Farming — Visiting the Research of Dr. Ryuta Nakajima
To coincide with CIAC2025, we visited OIST's research facilities and spoke with researchers tackling the grand challenge of land-based squid farming.
A World First — 10 Successive Generations of Captive-Bred Bigfin Reef Squid
The OIST research team became the first in the world to achieve 10 successive generations of captive breeding of the bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). The previous world record was seven generations. It is a groundbreaking achievement that overturns the conventional wisdom that "squid cannot be farmed."
Dr. Ryuta Nakajima, a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, has researched cephalopod behavioral ecology at OIST since 2010 and made a major contribution to establishing this breeding technique.
In the video above, you can see our visit to Dr. Nakajima's research site. From hatching to rearing, please take a look at the frontier of farming technology that has never been seen before.
Kwahuu Ocean — A Startup Bringing "Squid Farming" to Society
To bring this world-first research result into society, Kwahuu Ocean, Inc. was established in June 2024.
Origin of the Name
"Kwahuu" means "happiness" in the Okinawan dialect. It carries the wish to bring happiness to people through the bounty of the sea.
Technology Base
More than 10 years of rearing know-how licensed out from OIST. A compact, distributed farming system combining AR and IoT technologies is under construction.
The Future We Aim For
Through a network of small seasonal farming units, realizing sustainable, local-production-for-local-consumption squid production. Reducing environmental impact while providing stable income for fishers.
As an Egi Maker — Toward the Future of Squid
Through our participation in CIAC2025, we at KeyStone felt anew, and strongly:
The sport of eging exists only because squid exist. To understand the ecology of squid, protect its resources, and expand the joy of fishing — these are not contradictory, but rather two sides of the same coin.
Researchers around the world are captivated by the "Complexity" and "Beauty" of squid and continue their studies. Encountering that passion was a great inspiration for us who make egi.
KeyStone will continue to support squid research and contribute to realizing a sustainable marine environment, while delivering the finest egi to everyone.
Q&A
Q. What kind of conference is CIAC2025?
A. CIAC (Cephalopod International Advisory Council) is an international academic body for cephalopod research founded in 1983, holding an international conference once every three years. In 2025, under the theme "Complexity & Beauty," it was held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) from October 25 to November 1. Over 200 researchers from around the world took part.
Q. Why does KeyStone, a fishing tackle maker, take part in a conference?
A. Deeply understanding the behavioral ecology and visual characteristics of squid leads directly to developing superior egi. Moreover, as a company that contributes to the sustainable use of fisheries resources and the conservation of the marine environment, we consider supporting academic research an important mission.
Q. What kind of company is Kwahuu Ocean?
A. Kwahuu Ocean, Inc. is an OIST-born startup founded in June 2024. Based on the world-first technology of 10 successive generations of captive-bred bigfin reef squid, it aims to commercialize land-based squid farming. The company name "Kwahuu" means "happiness" in the Okinawan dialect.