PABP upscales aquaculture industry operations

2014-09-03

Streamlined operations seeking to boost the efficiency and profitability of Taiwan’s ornamental fish sector are being implemented at Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park’s new aquaculture center in southern Taiwan.

One of the nation’s eight designated Free Economic Pilot Zones, PABP is working to transform procedures related to breeding, customs, inspection and quarantine, logistics, R&D and technical consultation. This is taking place under the auspices of the Council of Agriculture and tailored policies for FEPZs.

“Our Asia-Pacific Operation Center for Aquaculture will eventually lead the way in centralizing processes and implementing optimal integration,” a PABP official said.

Covering 5.5 hectares, the center is divided into two zones: logistics and R&D, as well as production and distribution. The COA has invested NT$1.2 billion (US$40 million) since 2011 in building the logistics base and 18 plant units.

“The operations zone is projected to accommodate over 20 aquaculture biotechnology firms, create 300 jobs and generate NT$2 billion in annual exports and NT$5 billion in added-value activity over five years.”

A dozen enterprises and related agencies have set up shop in the center to date, according to the PABP. These include Jy Lin Trading Co., one of the largest aquarium fish exporters in Asia; Taiwan Fu Shrimp Enterprise Co., a leader in cultivating rare shrimp varieties such as black, crystal red and Pinto King Kongs; COA’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine; and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

Capitalizing on the FEPZ initiative and a prime location in southern Taiwan, PABP expects the center to grow into a global aquaculture operations center and hub for ornamental fish production and distribution in the region.

“Taiwan boasts top-notch aquaculture technologies and a highly advanced fish breeding supply chain,” the official said. “Add FEPZ-instigated regulatory easing into the mix and we can soon acquire high-end breeding stocks, apply for veterinary certificates and deliver shipments to major destinations such as mainland China.

“This paves the way toward putting Taiwan’s ornamental fish export industry on a par with present leader Singapore.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221241&CtNode=413)