Taiwan Tilapia

Summary of Interviews

Interview of Teacher Chen Ching-ke (a senior breeding expert of Taiwan tilapia)

Q: Why did people here begin to breed fish? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: In the early days, local people here led a hard life. Because of the environmental factor, we could only have one harvest of paddy rice every three years. It would be lucky if we could only plant some sweet potatoes in the farmland. We left some sweet potatoes for ourselves, and took some of them to the harbor in order to exchange fish. I began to breed fish about forty years ago. The profit was much better than that of farming. So, many people followed my step to breed fish. The breeding type of comprehensive operation especially established an economic base for local fishermen. Therefore, the economy of fishing villages grew rapidly and well improved.

Visit Teacher Chen Ching-ke

Q: What kinds of fish are raised by local people? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: Most of them are Wuguo fish and milkfish. Others include perches, white shrimps, etc. There are more than seventeen kinds of aquatic products.

Q: How do these fish farms come from? Are they all natural? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: In the early days, the fish farms were natural ponds. In the later period, the fish farms were built by using modern machines. The Chia-Nan Channels provide the major water source, and different auxiliary sources of ground water are also necessary. The shallow ground water is brackish, and the deep ground water is fresh.

Interview of Mr. Chen Zhen-ming (a breeding expert of Taiwan tilapia)

Q: We know Uncle Chen has a high educational background. Why do you choose to come back and work in rural area? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: On the one hand I want to contribute my professional skill, and on the other I have a strong emotion to my hometown.

Q: What are the differences of breeding type in the early days and today? (Recorded by Li-ling)

A: The breeding was a type of extensive operation in the early days. And now, the new type is an operation of intensive cultivation technology, which includes the reforms of waterwheel and feeding stuff. The hygiene, health and safety are more and more important.

Visit Mr. Chen Zhen-ming

Q: What is the difference between Taiwan tilapia and Wuguo fish? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: Taiwan tilapia is a cross-breeding species of Wuguo fish. After several times of successful cross-breeding, Taiwan tilapia has become a unique and local species. We know that more than twenty countries can produce Wuguo fish. In order to make a differentiation between Taiwan tilapia and common Wuguo fish, it is necessary to create a new brand and to emphasize the superior quality of Taiwan tilapia.

Q: For breeding Taiwan tilapia, what are the important things that fishermen have to notice? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: The important things include many details and management works such as water source, water quality, earth of fish farm, sterilization, feeding stuff, and even the supply of oxygen.

Q: What is the difference of price level between Taiwan tilapia and Wuguo fish?
(Recorded by Li-ling)

A: The price of Taiwan tilapia is at a middle-low level, and most people can afford to pay such a price. The demand quantity is huge, so the production is large too. Although the price level of perch or eel is higher, the sales quantity of both is fewer.

Q: How do local fishermen choose the water source? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: If surface water, including the rainwater and the water from reservoir, is available, local fishermen will choose the surface water first. Ground water lacks oxygen and its water hardness is high, so fishermen will use the ground water only after it is processed. Furthermore, the layer depression will occur if we irrationally use ground water in a long period.

Q: Is there any solution to solve the problem of layer depression? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: The best way is to build reservoirs and ponds on level ground. Taiwan is not a region of water shortage. We just cannot keep the water source well. If the reservoirs on level ground are built, they can not only provide the surface water source, but also help to replenish the ground water source. Besides, the circulating water is another way. Water after filtration can be reused, and this also helps to solve the problem of layer depression. In the future, the concept of ecological breeding is very important. Only we keep the harmonious relationship with environment, we can have the condition of sustainable living.

Q: What is the breeding of mono-sex? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: Taiwan tilapia belongs to the Family Cichlidae. Because Taiwan tilapia breeds very quickly, the fish farm will be full of fry whose economic value is very low if we do not control the breeding quantity. The female Taiwan tilapia is smaller than the male one, so it is necessary to breed the male Taiwan tilapia only. Both the Fisheries Research Institute and the non-governmental circles already put their endeavors to do this research, and exchange experiences with each other.

Q: What is the Production Responsibility System? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: Take breeding a fish as an example. In order to pass the health and safety inspection, all the drug use, water quantity, and breeding environment have to be under strict control and supervision. This is called the Production Responsibility System.

Q: What is the Traceability System? How do food processing plants know who breed these Taiwan tilapias? (Recorded by Tsui-jun)

A: Every year, the Chinese Society of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (CSPRS) takes aerial photos, and assigns numbers to each fish farm. The number of fish farm is just like our ID number. So, fishermen must provide the proof of fish farm when Taiwan tilapias are sent to food processing plants. And, food processing plants have to keep records of production management, which include inspection report of fry, feeding stuff, and fish body. We can get related information of the Taiwan tilapia that we ate from the Traceability System, so you can set your mind at ease when you enjoy the dishes of Taiwan tilapia.

Interview of Mr. Weng Zhi-hsin (a member of Yizhu Literature and History Studio)

Q: Why we cannot find "Yizhu" on the ancient maps? (Recorded by Ya-ting)

A: Before 1787, the word "Yizhu" never showed up on any ancient document. At first, Yizhu was called Er-Zhu-Wei village. Then, since the pronunciation of "Er" in Fukien language is similar to "Yi," the Er-Zhu-Wei was changed to Yi-Zhu-Wei. In 1945, "Yizhu Township" was formally used.

Q: Was Yizhu (Er-Zhu-Wei) near the seashore three hundred years ago? (Recorded by Ya-ting)

A: From the ancient map, we know that Yizhu was only a small island of the Lagoon. As time went by, the surrounding shallow sea was silt up and became the land connecting with the inland. And, many original harbors such as Kang-Lang-Gang, Bei-Gang-Zai, and Zhong-Gang-Zai also lost their function.

Visit Mr. Weng Zhi-hsin

Q: From the ancient map, we notice that the Bazhang River was in the north of Yizhu, but why is it in the south of Yizhu today? (Recorded by Ya-ting)

A: This is just a good example of the old saying, "Time brings great changes to the world." In 1751, the Bazhang River changed its route from the north to the south of Yizhu. We can take the Hsi-Zhou village as an example. Let us think what the word "His-Zhou" should imply. We can find it means a sandbank in the Bazhang River. After the river route changed, some original villages in the south became empty. And, we can also know our ancestors really led a hard life.

Q: Why are most farms located in the east of Yizhu, and most fish farms in the west? (Recorded by Ya-ting)

A: The west part of Yizhu is very suitable for developing the fishery because the soil is more saline and the terrain is low-lying. The big problem is, when there is heavy rain, Yizhu is a highly possible flooded area. Another worry problem is the layer depression.

Interview of Mr. Chen Zhen-kun (a member of Taiwan Tilapia Alliance)

Q: Where are most fish farms located in Yizhu Township? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: Most fish farms are located in the west part of Yizhu. The fishing villages include Hsin-Dian, Guo-Lu, Hou-Zhen, Guan-Shun, and Bei-Hua.

Q: Do local fishermen only breed Taiwan tilapias in their fish farms? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: No, the local fishermen often adjust themselves to breed different kinds of aquatic products according to the seasons and the market demand. Besides the major product, Taiwan tilapia, other aquatic products include milkfish, white shrimp, eel, and perch.

Visit Mr. Chen Zhen-kun

Q: Besides Yizhu Township, where are Taiwan tilapias also raised? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: Other major breeding areas include Dong-Shi Township of Chiayi County, Mai-Liao Township of Yunlin County, and Hsueh-Chia Town, Chia-Li Town, Liu-Chia Township, and Guan-Tian Township of Tainan County.

Q: Where are local Taiwan tilapias sold? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: It depends on the size of Taiwan tilapia. Taiwan tilapias under six hundred grams are usually sold to domestic traditional market, and those between six and eight hundred grams are usually frozen and sold to USA, Canada, and Mid East. The big size fillets, which are heavier than one thousand and two hundred grams, are sold to Korea and Japan to cook sashimi.

Q: What are the advantages of Taiwan tilapia? (Recorded by Ming-ting)

A: The feed conversion rate of Taiwan tilapia is very high, and its life force is very strong. So, Taiwan tilapia is a kind of fish which has high economic value. Taiwan tilapia is very suitable to provide people the superior animal protein since it can change the plant protein to the animal protein. Many people also named it "The Fish of People."
Taiwan tilapia is a kind of international fish species and also a kind of white-meat fish. The meat of Taiwan tilapia is fresh, tender, and delicious. Different processed products are available. The most important thing is the price is at a middle-low level. So, Taiwan tilapia can meet the demands of different customer groups in each country.
The methods of cooking are diversified, including sashimi, steam, boil, fry, roast, and deep-fry.