Chapter 20 Sustainable Development of Eel Aquaculture Industries in Taiwan and Mainland China

Abstract

With decades of effort, the eel industry in Taiwan has become one of the major suppliers in the international eel (Anguilla japonica) market. Since mid-1980, however, the most powerful challenger to Taiwan’s position in the market has been on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, i.e., Mainland China. Within a decade, Mainland China has topped Taiwan as the largest exporter. In this paper, the development of the eel industry in these two regions is examined to see how the two leading suppliers in the international eel market achieved this status. Eel aquaculture development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait faces three major challenges: negative impacts on the environment, seed supply, and food safety issues. Eel aquaculture inflicted a heavy cost on the environment that accompanied its high profitability. The availability of seeds is still unsecured by artificial reproduction. In addition, drug and chemical residues threaten the food safety of eel products. To meet these challenges, eel industries must plan for sustainable development. Specific suggestions for the eel culture industries in Taiwan and Mainland China are recommended.