On December 22, 2021, Dr. MATSUMOTO Yukio, Researcher in the Fisheries Division, received the best paper award for research on Sanriku coast by Iwate Prefecture for his research on “Fenton reaction as a possible stimulus to induce spawning in Ezo abalone Haliotis discus hannai during stormy weather” .

Synchronous spawning is an important behavior which increases fertilization success of invertebrates with external fertilization. In this study, it was observed that Ezo abalone released eggs after rainwater reached the sea bottom due to the passage of a low-pressure system. The hydroxyl radicals produced by the chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and  iron (Ⅱ) ions (Fenton reaction) in the rainwater may induce egg releasing behavior of Ezo abalone. In addition, it was confirmed that the Fenton reaction in the aquarium can induce  the spawning of abalone easily and with high probability.

This method may be applied to the egg collection of donkey’s ear abalone (Haliotis asinina) and other marine invertebrates (sea cucumbers, bivalves etc.), which are important aquaculture species in Southeast Asia.

In order to accumulate research personnel and revitalize marine and fisheries research along the Sanriku coast of Iwate Prefecture, the prefectural government has been implementing the “Paper award for research on Sanriku coast by Iwate Prefecture” since 2009, inviting and commending young researchers for their research papers based on the Sanriku area. Dr. Matsumoto's research was recognized for scientifically clarifying basic knowledge on abalone spawning during storms.