Fishery of the Republic of China
INTRODUCTION
Fishery is one of the most important primary industries of the Republic of China. In recent years, its overall production exceeded 1.3 million tons, with a value of nearly NT$ 100 billion. Over 130,000 households, with approximately 340,000 people are involved in the work of fisheries production. It has greatly contributed to the stability of society, and provides another a source of food supply. During the decades after the retrocession of Taiwan from the Japanese occupation, under the guidance of the Government, the devotion of researchers as well as the diligence of the fishing entrepreneurs, fishery rapidly developed, making Taiwan one of the top fishery producers in the world. The deep sea fishery of Taiwan, particularly tuna fishery, is ranked as the top and the aquaculture technology has won the worldwide recognition.
However, in recent years, under the prevalence of exercising of the 200-mile exclusive economic zones by coastal countries as well as the adoption of the cooperative management of resources, the deep sea fishery have been encountering tremendous impact, while the production of the offshore and coastal fishery has been reduced, due to overfishing and pollution of the nearby sea. Restricted by scarce resources of land and water, the development of aquaculture on the land has to undergo a major adjustment int terms of direction and strategy.
To adapt to the adverse impact, the Government has exerted its greatest efforts in promoting international fishery cooperation and active participation in international fishery organizations, to enable sustainable development of the deep sea fishery. As regards the coastal and offshore fishery, efforts have been made on proper management of resources in the coastal and offshore sea, to enable sustainable utilization of marine resources. In addition, aquaculture has been directed to the rational utilization of land and water resources to ensure an harmony between fish farming and environment. At the same time, fishermen are encouraged to engage in recreational fishery for improvement of their income, and more efforts will be placed on the construction of picturesque fishing villages and promotion of fishermen’s welfare, with the hope of laying a sound foundation for Taiwanese fishery in the next century.
Picture:Fishery Production80% Production and Value of Taiwan Fisheries from 1979 to 2000
