🇹🇼 Fish of Taiwan
8 fish from Taiwan, best known first.
Taiwan operates one of the world's largest fishing fleets, with distant-water tuna vessels dominating its catch. The industry faces significant international scrutiny over illegal fishing practices and labour abuses on migrant crews. Recent reforms aim to address these environmental and human rights challenges while maintaining economic output.
- Taiwan operates more than one third of the world's longline tuna fishing vessels.
- Distant-water fleets employ at least 35,000 migrant sailors from Indonesia and the Philippines.
- Bottom trawlers under 50 tons cannot fish within 5km of shore.
- Commercial whaling was outlawed in 1981 following international pressure.
- FCF Co., Ltd. acquired Bumble Bee Foods for nearly 1 billion dollars in 2019.
Fish of Taiwan
Taiwan maintains a massive maritime presence with a coastline stretching 1566 km. It ranks among the top global fishing nations, driven by a distant-water fleet exceeding 2000 vessels. This sector employs roughly 350,000 people and generates billions in annual revenue. While coastal fisheries contribute significantly, distant-water operations provide the majority of the catch. The government heavily subsidises this industry to sustain its global market position. Environmental concerns and labour disputes remain central issues for regulators and international partners alike.
Notable species
Tuna forms the primary target for distant-water vessels, with Taiwanese companies operating over a third of the world's longline tuna fleet. Saury and squid are also key catches, with saury landings reaching 40,000 metric tonnes in 2022. Aquaculture focuses on saltwater milkfish, originally raised in ponds during the Ming Dynasty. Other farmed species have been introduced over time. The high biodiversity in northern waters supports diverse coastal catches, though specific species lists beyond these major targets are not detailed in the provided text.
Seas and rivers
The island is surrounded by the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, Luzon Strait, and South China Sea. Northern waters receive nutrient-rich currents, supporting high marine biodiversity. Coastal and offshore fisheries operate under strict tonnage-based distance restrictions from shore. Bottom trawling is common but regulated to protect seabeds. Distant-water vessels operate globally, often using flags of convenience. Disputed maritime boundaries with China, Japan, and the Philippines complicate access to certain fishing grounds.
Fishing and farming
Aquaculture shifted from freshwater to saltwater systems after environmental damage peaked in the 1980s. Land-based fishponds produced approximately 310,000 metric tons in 2010. Distant-water fleets rely on migrant labour from Indonesia and the Philippines. Vessels are transitioning to LED lighting to reduce environmental impact. Bottom trawling brings in 13% of near-shore catch but causes habitat damage. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing remains a serious concern, leading to international sanctions and trade barriers.
Fish in culture
Commercial whaling began under Japanese colonial rule in 1913 and continued until outlawed in 1981. The practice centred on Hengchun, the southernmost township. After whaling ceased, whale watching emerged as a new industry. Aquaculture traditions date back to the late Ming Dynasty when fishermen used ponds for milkfish. These historical practices shaped the modern seafood culture. The shift from hunting to conservation-oriented activities reflects changing societal values regarding marine life.
Today
International pressure has forced reforms in labour conditions and fishing transparency. Minimum wages for distant-water workers were raised in July 2022. Health insurance requirements were added to improve worker protection. Despite progress, abuse allegations persist, with lawsuits filed against major companies like FCF Co., Ltd. and Bumble Bee Foods. Taiwan received yellow cards from the EU and US listings for goods made with forced labour. Ongoing diplomatic agreements with Japan and the Philippines help manage disputed waters.
The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Fishing industry in Taiwan", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
