The Council of Agriculture (COA) said the ornamental fish industry has three features: high value-added, high technological level and high industrial relationship and the local industry has leading reproduction techniques and can reproduce artificially more than 300 species with an annual total output of NT$2 billion (including aquarium, feeds, lighting equipment and other peripheral industries). To ensure the industry’s sustainable development in response to the trend of consumption on ornamental fish market, the Council has listed ornamental fish as one of the six emerging industries which are qualified for assistance and guidance provided by the “Quality Agriculture Development Program.” As to the current ban on the sale of ornamental fish drugs by aquariums, the Council explained that it is aimed at ensuring people get safe and legal ornamental fish drugs and respecting life and animal welfare. But the COA has taken measures to assist aquariums in legally selling ornamental fish drugs to ensure drug safety and lead the local industry to an orderly development.

Sale of Ornamental Fish at Home and Abroad Grow Significantly After Ma Assumes Presidency

Ornamental fish output in Taiwan accounts for only 1% of the aggregate fishery output and the industry had been neglected because of its small scale before Ma Ying-jeou became president of the Republic of China in 2008, pointed out the COA. To implement the policy of “developing ornamental fish into an emerging industry” President Ma proposed in his presidential campaign, the government has actively guided and assisted the development of ornamental fish industry in the past two years, thus increasing steadily ornamental fish exports, and sponsored ornamental fish exposition in 2009 and 2010, which attracted more than 100,000 visitors each time and significantly expanded domestic market for ornamental fish. While such ornamental fish as discus and crystal red shrimp have won awards in many international championships, the technological breakthrough in medium cichlid GloFish (fluorescent fish) has deeply impressed ornamental fish industry and consumers.

The Council has also actively collected information on ornamental fish production both at home and abroad and international export market development, convened industry seminars on utilization of local ornamental fish industry’s unique and advanced aquaculture techniques, aquaculture system modulization and advantages in ecological technology, and included ornamental fish industry in the country’s six emerging industries being assisted by the “Quality Agriculture Development Program, aggressively developing ornamental fish industry with three major strategies: technological R&D, government assistance, and expanded marketing by adopting promotion activities in both domestic and foreign markets.

COA Accelerates Assistance in Legal Drug Use to Promote Development of Ornamental Fish Industry

Based on the respect for life of ornamental fish and animal welfare, many countries have put ornamental fish drugs under the jurisdiction of veterinary drugs use control act.  Ornamental fish should be treated by professional veterinarian and use prescribed drug when they are ill to guarantee their health and safety and prevent the creation of drug-resistant bacteria in the environment. Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine under the COA has implemented “Simplified Measures for Registration of Ornamental Fish Drug Inspection and Quarantine” and “Regulations on Relaxing Ornamental Fish Drug Manufacturing Standards,” and planned to revise in the near future “Regulations Regarding Sales and Use of Drugs Prescribed by Veterinarians” and “Regulations Regarding Veterinary Drugs Selling Industry” to list ornamental fish drugs as non-prescription drugs and relax qualifications for  ornamental fish drugs seller registration according to opinions of the aquarium industry. Meanwhile, the government will offer those in the aquarium industry who are interested in selling ornamental fish drugs professional training and assist them in registration so that it is convenient for the industry and public to obtain legal and safe drugs.

Promoting Sustainable Development of Ornamental Fish Industry by Leading It to Orderly Development

The COA said since ornamental fish has become pets for family members to relax the mind at home in the 21^st century, the Council will guide and assist the ornamental fish industry in institutionalizing and encourage the aquarium industry and consumers to use ornamental fish drugs legally, conveniently and appropriately, thus guaranteeing safe use of drugs and leading the ornamental fish industry to an orderly development.