The Aquaculture Status and its Sustainability in Taiwan

Introduction

Based on the FAO (1999) , the global fishery production in 1997 reached 122.14 million tons, of which 92.87 million tons are for human consumption. Fisheries supply a certain portion (23%) of animal protein for humans (Clark, 1996). Due to the fact that the production of capture fisheries has reached a maximum, aquaculture plays a major role in providing animal protein to humans in the next millennium. It is predicted that by 2010 world fishery production will be up to 144 million tons of which up to 39 million tons will come from aquaculture.

Although rapid growth of aquaculture in the past two decades has enabled the world fisheries supply to keep pace with population growth (Boyd et al, 1998; Csavas, 1998), it generated adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts. As one of the aquacultural leading countries, Taiwan has recognized this issue and imposed relevant strategies to make the industry sustainable.

This paper is to introduce the conception of sustainable aquaculture, status, objective and policy, and how to enter the way of sustainability.

The sustainable development has been well-defined by the FAO (1991) as "the management and conservation of the natural resource base, and the orientation of technological and institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations. Such development conserves land, water, and plant and animal genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable, and socially acceptable." Since then, articles and reports related to sustainable aquaculture were found elsewhere (Barg et al, 1997; Braaten et al, 1997; Edwards, 1997; FAO, 1997; FAOa, 1998; FAOb,1998; Hambrey, 1996; Surtida, 1998). Barg et al (1997) and FAO (1997) focussed on the Principles of Article 9 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. From the technology and environment’s point of view, Braaten et al (1997) listed the Norwegian experience on production of marine cage and land-based systems. Hambrey (1996) was the first to illustrate sustainability assessment on shrimp farm. In addition, Liao (1992, 1995, 1998), Chien and Liao (1998) and Liao et al (1995) have reported on similar topics.

From the purpose of statistical record (Anon., 1999), the aquaculture in Taiwan is classified into inland and marine culture. The inland culture can be further categorized as brackish water and freshwater ponds. During 1970-1998, the total farming area increased from 42,447 ha to 63,189 ha, a total increase of 118% (Fig. 1). During the same period, the area used for brackish water culture increased from 16,738 ha in 1970 to 30,625 ha in 1992. After 1992 the area has slowly declined, with a total 24,483 ha in 1998. In the meantime, the area used for freshwater culture increased from 6,665 ha to 21,758 ha. The farming area for marine culture increased from 12,174 ha in 1970 to 18,832 ha in 1984, and dropped to 12,689 ha in 1998.

In the period of 1970-1998, the aquaculture production rose from 66.59 thousand tons valuing 1.29 billion to NT$ 255.22 thousand tons valuing NT$ 27.39 billion (Fig 2; 3). In 1998, milk fish yielded, 58.35 thousand tons, and ranked first, followed by tilapia, clam, oyster, eel and freshwater prawn (Anon., 1999). As to value, eel was the highest valuing about NT$ 6.03 billion, followed by oyster, freshwater prawn, milk fish, grass prawn and abalone.

By 1998, the Taiwan area imported 282.74 thousand tons valuing NT$ 16.78 billion and exported 455.67 thousand tons valuing NT$ 34.79 billion (Anon., 1999) of which amount was less import and more export than previous years (Fig. 4; 5).

According to the Fisheries Yearbook in the Taiwan area in 1998 (Anon., 1999), the total freshwater and marine finfish seed production was 2812.71 million (valued at NT$ 2194.68 million), shrimp seed was 3022.74 million (NT$ 250 million), soft shell turtle and crab juveniles were 61.33 million (NT$ 486.13 million), and small abalone seed reached 172.41 million (NT$ 433.10 million). Shell fish seed was 747 metric tons (NT$ 20.89 million).

In order to promote Taiwan as the Asian-Pacific fish seed supply center and to export high quality fish seed to the Asia-Pacific region, the Fish Breeding Association (FBA) of the Republic of China was founded in May 1996. Currently, the association has more than 860 members. The main goal of the FBA is to reorganize domestic marketing capability, to assist in exploring exporting market, to strengthen the techniques exchange among farmers and to promote breeding techniques. In addition, with favorable climatic conditions and the excellent technology, by now, about 270 species of fish, shellfish seed and other animal’s can be mass produced (FBA, 1999). Their total value in production area amounts (NT$ 4 billion). It turns out the turnover of related aquaculture accessories is over NT$ 30 billion. For example, 90% of 64 species of marine finfish cultured at present (Table 1) is being artificially propagated (FBA, 1998). Its production and value is summarized in Table 2 (Yeh, 1998).

In order to lower down the use of freshwater and land resources, the development of offshore aquaculture has been selected as one of the major tasks. It is estimated that a ha of marine cage can yield 40 times greater than that of land-based fish pond with same area. It has had more than two decades of experience. Since 1993, the government has guided fishing net companies to develop wind- and wave-resistant cages and to import cages from Norway, Denmark and Japan. Unlike Japan and Norway, local cage farmers culture a lot of species, i.e. cobia, greater yellowtail, grouper, sea bream, snappers and other species. From the culture technique and management’s point of view, cobia with its fast growing rate has the best potential to become an internationalized species. With more than 3,000 cages in 1998, Taiwan produced about 2,770 tons of marine finfish (Table 3) valuing NT$ 522.5 million. Most of the cages were deployed near the coast.

As to the system of brand identification, marketing channels and information, the Taiwan Offshore Aquaculture Association was also established in August, 1999.

Land-based recirculating water production system for eels was introduced as a scientific study in 1993 by the Fisheries Research Institute of the Council of Agriculture, formerly the Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute. Later, this system was adjusted to meet the needs of the local environment. By 1999, there will be 11 eel farms with this system which has the capacity of producing 2,042 tons annually (Table 4). By 1998, the automation system of fish seed production and feeding was achieved by several institutions (COA, 1998). From the fiscal year of 1999 to 2000, the government will finance a so called "Industry- institute cooperation project" to set up an indoor grouper recirculating water production system.

In 1998, there were 205 ornamental farms, 69% of them were in southern Taiwan (Yeh, 1999), with a total area of 69.39 ha (Anon., 1999), which could artificially produce more than 120 species of freshwater ornamentals (Yeh, 1999). There were 1,299 aquariums around the island, 47.4% of them were in northern Taiwan. The total value of the ornamental and its related industries were estimated at NT$ 4.5 billion. Among them, ornamentals and farm/aquarium accessories each occupy 40% and feed takes the remaining 20%.

From an official report in 1998, the major ornamental traders imported NT$ 5.95 million and exported NT$ 35.43 million. Based on the survey from the major traders and distributors, the estimated export trade value is more than sevenfold of the above-mentioned value. Their major importing and exporting species are cichlids, livebearers, koi, gold fish and others. And Taiwan is the only producer and exporter of blood parrot, Cichlasma hybrids.

In June 1999, with the guidance of the Fisheries Administration of the Council of Agriculture, the Ornamental Production and Marketing Group and Management Committee at Pingtung was established under the FBA. This group consists of 7 subgroups: 3 African cichlids, 1 Cichlasma hybrids, 1 goldfish and koi, 1 aquatic plant and 1 marine ornamental. Currently, 87 members with a total farming area of 95 ha, of which the major goal is to coordinate production and marketing and to expand the domestic and overseas markets.

Besides the above emphasized industries, the government also wants to develop overseas aquaculture business to modify the operational structure of the local industry into an international one. As stated before, aquaculture will be the main source of fishery product in the next century. In accordance with the government’s Go South policy, the managers of local aquaculture industry are encouraged to invest in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, due to their low labor and land cost.

Lured by profits, many farmers in the west and northeast coast of Taiwan are involved in aquaculture. They illegally dug 170,000 wells and pumped excessive amounts of groundwater. And industrial, residential and standard agricultural sectors also pumped groundwater. Freshwater used for aquaculture in Taiwan in 1998 reached 2.547 billion m³ , 1.159 billion m³ from groundwater and 1.388 billion m³ from surface water (Chen, 1998). Recent data shows that 5.94 billion m³ of groundwater is being pumped annually and only 4 billion m³ is naturally being replaced. This 1.94 billion m³ deficit has caused land subsidence in many areas, especially along the southwestern coast and on the Ilan Plain. Overall, almost 865 km² of Taiwan’s plains, a full 8 %, tends to subside. The most serious subsidence occurred around Chiatung, Pingtung County which has sunk by as much as 3.06 m. The average rate of subsidence in coastal areas is between 5 and 15 cm each year.

In order to ease the land subsidence phenomenon, the Executive Yuan passed a "Land subsidence control program" in 1995, drawn up jointly by the Council of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Furthermore, the Water Resources Bureau was established under the MOEA in 1996 and reorganized in 1997 to unify the planning and management of water resources. Since then, the "Principles of water resources policy planning" has been drawn up and carried out. It is expected that the total area for the inland fish pond will be reduced to 22 thousand ha, 6 thousand ha for freshwater culture and 16 thousand ha for brackish water culture. One of the major works is to strengthen the conservation and management of groundwater. The average rate (cm/yr) of land subsidence has decreased from 12.6 in 1988-90 to 3.62 in 1998-99 (Table 5). The total area of land subsidence decreased from 1,057 km² in 1995 to 865 km² in 1998. The farming area in land was reduced from 53.07 thousand ha in 1995 to 46.24 thousand ha in 1998. The government has banned 1,524 illegal wells and 12,928 cases of illegal use of electricity by farmers. The use of freshwater was 5.72 billion tons in 1998, as compared to 7.14 billion tons in 1995. To improve the flooding, the government has accomplished waterways improvement (258.7 km), coastal dike and sea wall construction (72.8 km), coastal infrastructure protection (4.6 km), and dike raising (27.5 km).

The major objectives of sustainable aquaculture are twofold. One is to develop environment-friendly practices in the marine and land-based aquafarms (Aldon, and Buendia, 1998) and the other is to make the industry sustainable in the future (Liao, 1998). As mentioned earlier, the sustainable aquaculture in Taiwan has been well discussed and published (Liao, 1992; 1995; 1998; Chien and Liao, 1998; Liao et al, 1995). Liao (1998) pointed out its limitations and strategies (Table 6). He also recommended short-, mid- and long-term policies toward the sustainable development (Table 7).

The shortage of water and land resources is the major constraint for aquaculture development in Taiwan. Therefore the government’s policy is focused on adjustment of the structure of this industry to lessen the dependence on water and land resources. In 1992, the Council of Agriculture has been carrying out the "Aquaculture Tutelage Plan" to promote the judicious utilization of water and land resources, that prevents the depletion of groundwater, to lead the aquaculture industry in to well-regulated development, and to enhance the correlation between the fishery market supply and demand. During the fiscal year of 1999 and 2000, the Fisheries Administration will carry out a project called the "Promotion of the aquaculture industry and harmony of the environment" under the "Cross-century agriculture construction program", to fulfil the policy of sustainable aquaculture. The following are the major works:

1. To improve the production environment to lower the consumption of freshwater resource.

2. To promote the marine cage culture to turn the sea into farms.

· Estimating to complete the GIS in 8 counties with major fish pond area.

In addition, the Water Resources Bureau enforces the "Principles of water resources" policy (WRB, 1999) as follows:

1) Principles

Conclusions and recommendations

With the advance of technology, world aquaculture production has fast increased over the past two decades. It is estimated that most of the world’s seafood supply will come from aquaculture in the next 50 years (Gand, 1997). Since Taiwan is an island, the land and freshwater resources are very limited. With an appropriate aquaculture climate and supporting system, Taiwan has grown to become one of the aquacultural technique leading countries. Therefore, the future development of aquaculture should be carefully planned and implemented. For example, the fish seed industry, marine cage industry, ornamental fish industry and land-based recirculating water production systems are essential for Taiwan to develop and extend toward a sustainable development. The following are the recommendations to these fields of which approaches have not yet been specified:

1. To the fish seed industry

1. Cultivation of fish and shellfish’s broodstock.
2. Environmental control of fish and shellfish breeding.
3. Disease prevention during the breeding process.
4. Cultivation of livefood organisms.
5. Microfeed for fish and shellfish seed.
6. Production of specific pathogen free or specific pathogen resistant (SPF or SPR) seed.

1. To the offshore aquaculture industry

1. To modify regulations to encourage enterprise being interested in the industry to develop the processing and marketing system.
2. To introduce a foreign insurance system to reduce the high risk of cage culture.
3. To increase R/D investment to develop cage systems suitable for the marine environment of Taiwan.
4. To select target species and the promotion of techniques to reduce the cost.
5. To enforce regulations relating to waste production and to develop the technology of waste reduction and collection.

1. To the land-based recirculating water production system

1. Development of a water-cycling system, including water treatment and sludge removal.
2. Production of less polluted fish feed to reduce wastes such nutrients, BOD, biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids and particles.
3. The introduction of appropriate management and planning strategies through practical courses, training and relevant information.
4. Control of effluent discharge to make sure that intake and outlet of water are separated.

1. To the ornamental fish industry

1. Careful selection of introduced species with high potential on the market.
2. Encouraging farmers to cooperate with academic and research institutes to culture and develop new species.
3. Integrating resources of the aquarium, koi, and fish breeding associations to build effective circulation networks.