At the 2015 National Fisherman's Day award ceremony held tonight at Shenao Fishing Port in New Taipei City, Premier Mao Chi-kuo gave the domestic fisheries industry a thumbs-up for another banner year.
Taiwan's Pacific saury and squid catches ranked respectively first and second in the world, while deep-sea fishing and tuna catch volumes were among the top six worldwide, Mao said proudly. Yields near the Diaoyutai Islands have also increased more than fourfold in recent years.
Taiwan's robust fisheries industry has been proactively participating in international fishery organizations, the premier pointed out, which is why fishery diplomacy has seen a significant breakthrough since President Ma Ying-jeou took office. In addition, the Council of Agriculture (COA) has been promoting exports of grouper and ornamental fish, all with outstanding results.
To further strengthen the industry, the government will focus on three major areas: ensuring food safety for consumers, sustaining fishery resources, and developing fishing recreation and tourism.
Regarding food safety, the COA is promoting a high-standard "pond to restaurant" quality-control policy for in the fishery sector that is similar to the "farm to table" policy for the overall food industry.
As for sustaining resources, Mao pointed out that Taiwan, like the rest of the world, is working hard to protect and conserve its fishery resources. In addition to enforcing fishing moratoria, the COA is making improvements to fish farms and releasing fish fry back into the waters. The premier hopes all fishermen will collaborate with the government in protecting Taiwan's fishery resources.
Regarding fishing tourism, the premier pointed out that Shenao port became one of the 10 most popular ports in Taiwan by developing squid fishing into a tourist attraction. This type of recreational fishery tourism is a good direction for future development, he stated.