Speaker for 23rd October 2018
Coleraine Probus are told a fishy tale
This morning’s speaker, Wesley Stewart, was introduced to the members the title of his talk being “The Life of KOI”. Wesley’s father is a retired minister who was Principal of The Independent Methodist Bible College. Although retired he is still active in Christian ministry as is Wesley himself. Wesley showed business acumen at the early age of 13 when he ran a small grass cutting venture around Portrush. Leaving school at the CAI on reaching 16, he spent a year as an apprentice grounds man. This fostered an appetite for horticulture, and led to 4 years study at the Horticulture College in Scotland.
Wesley was now in the business of designing gardens and constructing fish ponds. Sooner or later, his clients would inquire about fish for their ponds, and so the business expanded to the supplying of KOI (Japanese Carp). This then necessitated trips to Japan to purchase the fish and arrange for transport back to NI. On occasions the client would accompany Wesley on the long flight to Niigata Prefecture, Japan to meet the fish breeders and select suitable KOI.
This is the West of Japan where Wesley gets his KOI
Wesley, beginning with the early days in the rice fields to the lucrative present day international industry, outlined the development of this important Japanese industry. The talk was illustrated with photographs that not only presented Japan’s outstanding landscape but showed the three main varieties and colour patterns of each fish type.
A one year old KOI is four to ten inches long and can grow to four foot six inches in length with a life span of 30 to 50+ years; Wesley has one fish of his own that is 80 years old, and in more suitable climates, fish of 200 years old have been recorded! It is therefore not surprising to note that KOI is a big and competitive market, where serious money can be spent. In Japan, one KOI did sell last year for £1,400,000. However, for our more local Northern Ireland KOI keeper, fish can be supplied to suit the clients budget.
Here's the £1m fish, a 'Golden Carp' - in more than one sense of the word!
The importation of KOI is strictly controlled and Wesley makes regular buying trips to Japan. He has created excellent links with the KOI breeders and agents ensuring that only the best fish are supplied. If Probus Club members are ever thinking of taking up the hobby, Wesley is clearly the man to see for advice, before any (expensive) decisions are made!
To take a look at Wesley on one of his KOI buying trips to Japan, and see some of the lovely Winter scenery of Western Japan, 'Click' on the logo below.
(Many thanks to Graham for his help once again - WebEd)
