The Japanese government and companies involved in eel farming are set to launch a trial of a traceability system designed to prevent poaching of baby eels.

Media were given a preview on Monday in Tokyo ahead of the test which begins on Tuesday.

Eels are a very popular delicacy in Japan.

The Fisheries Agency says last season’s catch of baby eels across the country totaled five tonnes. The amount was about 30 percent lower than the agency’s estimate. He believes that poaching is one of the reasons for this deficit.

The new system will allow the industry to trace the distribution routes of eels traded in Japan.

Fishing workers, wholesalers and eel farmers will use QR codes to share data on who the fish was sent from and when it was traded.

The trial will be conducted in the southwestern prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima and the central prefecture of Aichi. The launch of a full-fledged system is planned for December next year.

Hoshina Masaki, head of an organization that runs the system, hopes it will be a simple way to ensure baby eels are traded legitimately.

Japanese authorities are stepping up measures to end poaching. The maximum fine for individuals involved in eel poaching increased 300-fold last year, to 30 million yen, or about $195,000.