Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Angra dos Reis • Ilha Grande

FAZENDA DE MARICULTURA & POUSADA NAUTILUS

Respect for nature and sharing knowledge

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Nisei Kazuo Tonaki has an entirely sustainable business in the peaceful and crystal clear waters of Jaconema beach, in complete harmony with nature; an aquaculture farm and a beautiful guesthouse that he has run for 23 years with his wife, Hiroko.

The farm was started more as a curiosity, when Kazuo decided to raise oysters. He then moved on to mussels, algae and fish before setting his mind on scallops – a bivalve with a fan-shaped shell – with current production of 180,000 yearly. Scallops are sold in the guesthouse and in restaurants in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where they are also known as coquilles Saint-Jacques. One of the advantages in raising them is that they thrive only in extremely pure sea water, which contributes to environmental protection and is one means of constantly assessing water quality.

Kazou is a member of AMBIG – Associação de Maricultores da Baía da Ilha Grande – the local aquaculture association, and is involved in projects and partnerships in support of a number of the region’s aquaculture farms, which provide work for many people.

In addition to scallops, he also raises bijupirá fish, with fishnet enclosures in the sea for adult fish and tanks on land for the small fry. Permaculture – a holistic method for environmentally sustainable systems – is also practiced, especially by means of recycling refuse and cooking oil, composting, planting pupunha palm hearts and gathering fruit from the orchard, besides generating solar energy.

Kazuo also holds diving lessons in a package including accommodation, full room and board, and the loan of equipment. The guesthouse has its own boats that serve for diving as well as for carrying guests to and from Angra dos Reis.

Besides the sea view and the private beach, one of the guesthouse’s attractions is its cooking under the guidance of Noriko and her mother, who serve dishes to please any palate, from Japanese fare to the traditional barbeque on Saturdays, as well as options for vegetarians.

The guesthouse provides leisure free of charge, such as games room, kayaks, treks, boat rides, fishing and other activities, such as shiatsu massage. To top it all, there is also educational tourism aimed at groups from schools or visitors, including lectures and visits to specific spots to observe different topics such as aquaculture, the environment, the history of Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, and marine biology. Nautilus certainly has its attractions that convert pleasure and learning into a unique experience.

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