President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of September 30 attended the opening of the 2011 Taiwan International Ornamental Fish Expo, which is being held at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 3. The president, together with Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Hu Sing-hwa (胡興華) and Fisheries Agency Director James Sha (沙志一), presided over the opening of the expo, and encouraged Taiwan's ornamental fish industry to establish an international foothold.
In remarks at the event, President Ma stated that Taiwan began farming ornamental varieties of coldwater freshwater fish in the 1960s. However, as focus here has traditionally been on edible fish, the ornamental fish industry lacked guidance and integration. The president remarked that after he took office in May 2008, his administration specially included the ornamental fish industry in the Quality Agriculture Development Program. Efforts have been made to integrate various facets of the industry, including farming, feed, and equipment, he said. In addition, this year marks the third year that the Ornamental Fish Expo has been held.
President Ma stressed that Taiwan's ornamental fish and peripheral equipment output grew from NT$2 billion in 2008 to NT$3.16 billion in 2010. Of this amount, ornamental fish output increased from NT$480 million in 2008 to NT$1.13 billion in 2010, with exports reaching US$3 million. These numbers clearly point to growth in the industry, he said. Furthermore, this year's exposition is international in scope for the first time, with a total of nine countries taking part. Judges from 13 nations are also participating, which helps to promote Taiwan's ornamental fish industry on the international stage.
President Ma also mentioned that Taiwan boasts conditions that are conducive to the development of the ornamental fish industry, and that the quality of the fish species farmed here is outstanding. Taiwan's ornamental fish have won awards in the international arena, including the discus fish at a competition in Duisburg, Germany in 2008, crystal shrimp in Hanover, Germany in 2009, and water plant aquascaping in Japan in 2009. These awards not only demonstrate the strength of the local industry, but also have helped win distinction for the nation and create a reputation for our industry in the international community, he said.
The president expressed his best wishes for a successful exposition and called for joint efforts by the government and industry so that Taiwan's ornamental fish industry can continue to develop and become a leading player on the world stage.