Protecting sustainable marine fisheries


About Us

With increasing global focus on marine conservation, resource sustainability, human rights protection, and transparency in production and sales, Taiwan's fisheries industry is striving to improve and actively transform in order to keep pace with international trends. Mahi-mahi (also known as silver carp or flying tiger mahi-mahi) is an important export species from Taiwan, primarily sold to the US market. In recent years, due to increased international scrutiny of marine sustainability and human rights issues in fishing operations, exports have faced severe challenges. This has driven a comprehensive adjustment of the entire industry chain, from fishing and processing to sales, towards a more responsible and transparent business model.


To enhance industry competitiveness and ensure exports meet international standards, the Taiwan Mahi-mahi Fisheries Association was officially established on September 2, 2024. The association was jointly initiated by the fishermen's associations of Su'ao, Xingang, and Donggang districts. At its inaugural meeting, the first board of directors and supervisors was successfully elected. Mr. Chen Chun-sheng, General Manager of the Su'ao District Fisheries Association, serves as the current chairman, while Mr. Chen Chun-ming, General Manager of the Xingang District Fisheries Association, serves as the executive supervisor. Chairman Chen Chun-sheng emphasized at the joint meeting of the board of directors and supervisors that only through unity, cooperation, and collaboration can the Taiwanese mahi-mahi industry move towards a sustainable future.

Fishing vessels should fulfill their obligations

  1. 100% completion rate for unloading declaration forms (even without a catch)
  2. 100% completion rate for fishing logs (even without a catch); Full participation in fish association market auctions (third-party monitoring data); Mahi-mahi catch must reach 3000kg total annually (contribution); Fishing of mahi-mahi with a body length of less than 50cm is prohibited (Article 44, Paragraph 1, Item 9 of the Fisheries Act); Approval for marine observers to board vessels for observation (marine resources); Cooperation with interviews with foreign fisheries association vessel owners/foreign workers, or requests for relevant information (social and human rights).

Transparent traceability of fish catches

 

The association actively guides captains to accurately complete the Fish Unloading Declaration Form and Fishing Log, ensuring the traceability of the catch and compliance with the regulations and requirements of the exporting country.

Sustainable management of fisheries

In response to the Agriculture, Fisheries Department's policies (such as banning the catching of mahi-mahi under 50 cm), and to promote the New Harbour Mahi-mahi Fishing Improvement Scheme (FIP), the scheme aims to upgrade the fisheries management system based on scientific research to ensure the industry's sustainability.

Friendly site links

 

I. Government and Fisheries Administration Units

  • Fisheries Agency, Ministry of Agriculture
  • Overseas Fisheries Cooperation and Development Association of the Republic of China (OFCF)
  • Taiwan Marine Conservation and Fisheries Sustainability Foundation (Haiyu Foundation)
  • Department of Environmental Biology and Fisheries Science, National Taiwan Ocean University

II. National District Fisheries Associations

  • National District Fisheries Associations of the Republic of China
  • Su'ao District Fisheries Association (Nanfang'ao Fishing Port)
  • Xingang District Fisheries Association (Taitung Chenggong)
  • Donggang District Fisheries Association
  • Tamsui District Fisheries Association
  • Ruifang District Fisheries Association
  • Kaohsiung District Fisheries Association
  • Mituo District Fisheries Association
  • Taitung District Fisheries Association
  • Hualien District Fisheries Association
  • Penghu District Fisheries Association

III. County and Municipal Governments (Fisheries Authorities)

  • Yilan County Government Marine and Fisheries Development Office
  • Pingtung County Government Marine and Fisheries Affairs Management Office
  • Taitung County Government Agriculture Department 

IV. Seafood Trading and Frozen Food Processing Enterprises

  • Zhumen International Co., Ltd.
  • Yimei Frozen Food Co., Ltd.
  • Neptune Seafood Co., Ltd.
  • Jinyuanyi Frozen Food Co., Ltd.
  • Fresh Frozen Food Co., Ltd.