Four years of research and development by the Water Test Institute, cold water culture of Paralichthys olivaceus, currently imported in small quantities and high prices

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The Fisheries Research Institute of the Council of Agriculture has spent four years researching and developing technology for domestic flounder culture, hoping that flounder with high economic value can increase income for domestic aquaculture industry. Flounder is a kind of "flounder" in a broad sense, mainly used for sashimi and sushi in Japanese high-end restaurants. Due to its high unit price, one kilogram costs more than 1,000 yuan. At present, only a small amount of imports are made in China.

Taiwan imports more than 8,000 tons of flounder annually, and imports of flounder are estimated to be less than 100 tons

Taiwan imports more than 8,000 tons of flounder every year, but flounder is only commonly known, including many species, commonly known as "flat cod" halibut, turbot, and Japanese high-end cuisine sashimi for flounder are included.

Hsu Cheng-yu, general manager of Chung Sheng Ocean, points out that more than 8,000 tons of halibut, commonly known as flat cod, are imported each year, while the rest are imported in very small quantities. Academia Sinica researcher Shao Kuang-chao explains that all flounders and halibut are commonly known as flounders, and there are several hundred species. "The flat cod and the flounder are completely different species, so their body sizes are very different."

Ho Yuan-hsing, director of the Eastern Marine Biology Research Center of the Fisheries Laboratory of the Council of Agriculture, says that the figures of the International Trade Bureau do not separate the flounder, so it is impossible to know the exact import figures. The import volume is indeed not that much, and it is estimated that less than 100 tons may be imported.

He Yuanxing (middle), Director of Eastern Marine Biology Research Center, Fisheries Laboratory, Council of Agriculture

Paralichthys olivaceus can be used as a new strain in Taiwan culture, providing diversity

At present, the number of imported flounder in China is small. He Yuanxing believes that it is because the price is too high. However, if Taiwan starts to cultivate flounder in the future, the price will drop and become popular. In the future, ordinary seafood stores may be able to eat it."The price will decrease and the demand will increase." It will become a new breed and diversify the market. Not only will fishermen have new choices, but more consumers will be able to enjoy flounder.

In addition, Taiwan's aquaculture industry is also better able to grasp the fry of flounder. This is because imported three-centimeter fry from Japan and South Korea cost NT$70 or NT$80.In the future, if produced domestically, they can be reduced to NT$10.

Use quantity is small, does breed have economic benefit?

Since only a small amount of imports, if the domestic culture of flounder, is there really a profit? Hsu Cheng-yu, general manager of Chung Sheng Ocean, doubts that although Paralichthys olivaceus can break through the technology and cultivate in Taiwan,"but is it economically beneficial?" Xu said, Flounder in Japan, South Korea has been raised to rotten technology, Taiwan did not do in the past, Is because the domestic is not suitable for raising cold zone species,"Not breeding flounder is the right choice, Not cold zone countries why to develop cold water fish?"

At 500 yuan per kilogram and 100 metric tons, the gross domestic product is roughly estimated to be only 50 million yuan. "Is this worth it compared to developing a new species?" Xu said that according to Taiwan's production conditions or market potential,"domestic breeding of flounder is really not competitive."

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