An analysis of problems in developing fish farming in nature reseriors:a case study of irrigation area of Taoyuan irrigation association

• Main Authors: Wen-Chyi Chen, 陳文祺
• Other Authors: Fu-Sung Chiang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/76285167408599519081

碩士 === 國立臺灣海洋大學 === 應用經濟研究所 === 95 === All reservoirs in the Irrigated Area under Taoyuan Water Resource Association have very distinctive appearance in the Taoyuan Plateau Area, serving important functions as crop irrigation and sluicing. According to Article 63.3 of the Water Resource Act, the reservoirs for irrigation cannot be used for aquaculture. However, it is an indisputable fact that such reservoirs are often used for aquaculture. The data from the Annual Fishery Statistics suggests that the three major species of farmed fish in Taoyuan and Hsinchu Areas are Tilapia, Big-head Carp and Grass Carp, with an annual output of 732 metric tons and a value of NT$280 million. Among these three species, Tilapia is the major source of fresh fish supply in Taipei, indicating that the scale of aquaculture industry has reached a stage of maturity. Using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture can make full use of water and soil resources and create production value in the rural economy and job opportunities. This is especially true in extensive fish farming. Not only that the environment and the eco-system are protected, but also that the problems of excessive use of water and soil, deterioration of aquaculture site, land subsidence and imbalance of production and sales can all be avoided. However, in terms of industrial management and product safety control, using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture has its legal restrictions. For examples, fish farmers may have the right to harvest fish but have no rights to land and water. They cannot be registered as fish farmers, and cannot get their products under the traceability system and certified as excellent fish product. These are problems hindering the development of using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture. In addition, this study uses the survey data from Taiwan Tilapia Association to examine the current operation of fish farmers who use irrigation reservoirs in Taoyuan and Hsinchu areas. The results of our analysis are as follows: 39% of the fish farmers have senior high school education; 42.4% of them have11-20 years of experiences in aquaculture; the average size of the fish farms is 8 hectares; 61% of them are full time fish farmers; they all lease irrigation ponds, and are not registered fish farmers; 87% of the farms employ one to two workers; 94% of the fish farms operate mixed species aquaculture to reduce risks; all fish farmers are members of the Fish Product Cooperatives in Taoyuan and Hsinchu Areas. To look into the problems of developing aquaculture with irrigation reservoirs and the solutions for these problems, we interviewed the fish farmers and officials in charge of water resource and fishery affairs. The results of the interviews are as follows: 1) Fishery Agency, county government and the fish farmers all are in favor of using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture, because they believe that irrigation reservoirs are excellent for aquaculture, there is no problem of land subsidence, and farm irrigation is not affected by doing so. On the other hand, officials of the Water Resources Agency are against it, because they hold the opinions that the operation will affect irrigation, and will bring about management problems. Officials of the Farm Land Water Resource Department approve this operation on condition that the water quality and sluicing are not affected by aquaculture. 2) Officials from Farm Land Water Resource Department and Fishery Agency agree that the aquaculture can be treated as part of management operations by the Association of Water Resources under the condition that irrigation is not affected and that financial revenue can be increased. Those from the Association of Water Resources interviewed believe that irrigation reservoirs are not suitable for aquaculture. 3) The officials from Fishery Agency think that the industry can achieve production record management. 4) Fisheries Agency should serve as the bridge between various government water resource organizations and the fish farmers, and introduce the idea of limited rights and resolve the conflicts. The study makes the following recommendations for the problems associated with using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture in Taoyuan and Hsinchu Areas: 1) the current regulations banning the use of irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture should be relaxed, providing fish farmers limited rights to use the reservoirs; 2) the Farm Land Water Resource Association should diversify its operation, provide economic incentives and maintain good working relations with fish farmers, in order to be in a win-win situation; 3) Using irrigation reservoirs for aquaculture can help maintain the reservoirs and its appearance, especially, in reducing sedimentation; 4) Study should be made to develop plans for irrigation reservoirs as additional source of water supply; 5) To assist the development of the industry, it may be appropriate to put the irrigation reservoirs under the control and jurisdiction of the fishery authorities.