NKUST strengthens Taiwan's aquaculture industry

2021/11/29

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology in southern Taiwan exemplifies efforts by the country’s higher education institutions to fulfill obligations as responsible members of society.
 
Known for its research in marine technology, NKUST is setting an example by reviving the coastal townships of Linbian and Jiadung in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan.
 
The NKUST project, launched in 2018, centers on building a future for aquaculture in the region. It has supported more than 200 fish farmers to date, co-director Lee Hsiao-chien said.
 
According to Lee, the undertaking is advancing U.N. Sustainable Development Goals by promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, which is part of SDG12. 

A total of 10 departments and graduate institutes have taken part in the project, such as the Department of Aquaculture tasked with installing water-saving and power-saving equipment on the farms, as well as using probiotics and photosynthetic bacteria instead of antibiotics to improve water quality at these sites.
 
Teachers and students play a part by producing collagen-based facial masks and lotions made from otherwise discarded fish scales and skins. In addition, fish varieties are processed into frozen food and transported to places like Taipei City across northern Taiwan.
 
Students majoring in computer science assist by introducing fishery products to e-commerce platforms. Another NKUST team is responsible for designing new packaging to strengthen the image of products from the fish farms.

Lee said farmers invest a lot of time and energy in their work, and believe they deserve greater exposure. By helping close supply contracts with restaurants, the university takes care of the sales side of the business so farmers can focus on raising healthy fish stocks, she added.
 
To train up students for the project so as to ensure its long-term viability, NKUST launched a program earlier this year called I Turn focusing on regional revitalization. At the same time, the university is making sure word gets out about the fish farms’ rebirth.
 
Bearing this in mind, students visit area elementary schools regularly where they tell stories of local aquaculture under transformation. The university’s work will have a much greater impact if members of the public are more aware, Lee said. 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)