With spring bringing leaping fish and sea breezes, the North Breakwater of Taichung Port became the most vibrant outdoor classroom today (29th). The Agriculture Bureau of Taichung City Government (hereisafter as "the Agriculture Bureau") joined hands with the Taichung City Taiwan Anglers Alliance Association to hold the “Fish Fry Release Family Fishing Fun Camp and Friendly Fishing Promotion Event.” Combining fish fry release, family fishing, and seafood education, the event attracted more than 100 families. Under professional guidance, participants released more than 73,000 fish fry in total. Through a fun and educational approach, the event helped instill concepts of marine conservation from an early age and put SDG 14 into practice for the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
The Agriculture Bureau stated that, under the professional guidance of the Taichung City Coastal Resources & Fisheries Development Center and the Taiwan Ocean Conservation and Fisheries Sustainability Foundation, a total of 2,000 red seabream, 35,500 yellowfin seabream, and 35,500 yellowfin bream were released. All are important commercial fish species in Taiwan’s coastal and offshore waters. Releasing the fish fry by bucket along the shoreline and by fish ladder helps improve their survival rate, gradually enriches coastal and offshore fishery resources, and advances the goal of “having fish year after year, generation after generation”.
The Agriculture Bureau pointed out that children personally released the fish fry into the sea at the event and also experienced fishing under the guidance of their parents and the Anglers Alliance, learning the friendly fishing concept of “keep the big ones and release the small ones”. One parent said that when children move from books to the seashore and actually take part in fish release and fishing, they gain a better understanding of the importance of cherishing marine resources. It was a rare and deeply meaningful learning experience.
The Taiwan Ocean Conservation and Fisheries Sustainability Foundation noted that releasing fish fry is like “planting hope” in the ocean. By combining education with hands on practice, it can effectively deepen public understanding of marine ecosystems and strengthen awareness of conservation. The Taichung Fishermen's Association also stated that red seabream, yellowfin seabream, and yellowfin bream are important coastal catches, and that scientific release programs combined with educational outreach help maintain the sustainable development of fishery resources.
The Anglers Alliance Association stated that anglers, who have long coexisted with the ocean, are especially aware of changes in marine resources. For this reason, the association has actively promoted friendly fishing and marine conservation, hoping that through family oriented activities, the concept of sustainability can take root in younger generations and allow this culture to be passed on over time.
In addition, the Agriculture Bureau arranged seafood education courses and interactive experience activities at the venue to introduce local catch species. Through games and creative activities, parents and children learned to recognize the characteristics of different fish species and the concepts of sustainable fisheries, putting marine conservation into practice through everyday diet.
The Agriculture Bureau stated that by advancing both fish fry release and educational outreach in parallel, the city can not only enrich fishery resources but also cultivate correct concepts of marine conservation among the public. In the future, it will continue integrating public and private sector resources to promote related activities, work together to protect Taichung’s coastal ecology, and build a sustainable fisheries environment.
Among those attending today’s event were General Shiau-Yun Lu of the director of Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council, and former Chairman Liang-Jen Chang of the Taiwan Fishing Tackle Industry Association, who is also Chairman of Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd., along with other distinguished guests.
(3/29*6)*Agriculture Bureau
Contact: Assistant Fang, Fisheries Administration Section, Coastal Resources & Fisheries Development Center
Contact number: 04-2658-1940 ext. 310