Fish preservation center opens with a splash

This article was written by June Tsai and published by the Taiwan Journal on April 13, 2007. It features the establishment of a laboratory and education center at the Wuling Farm in Taiwan's Shei-Pa National Park, which focuses on Formosan landlocked salmon. The launch of the Taiwan Salmon Eco Center marks the successful breeding of this endangered species, with about 5,000 young fish being bred in the laboratory.

The Wuling Farm was established in 1963 as a producer of fruit and vegetables. Situated at an altitude of 1,740 meters above sea level in a valley, the farm's various activities used to have adverse impacts on the Formosan landlocked salmon, a species that mainly lived in a river running through the farm. In 1984, the salmon was listed for protection and added to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act.

In 1986, in order to protect the river as the salmon's habitat, the government in Taiwan launched an environmental protection policy that demanded gradual reduction of agricultural activities at the farm. In 1989, protection was further strengthened by the enactment of the Wildlife Conservation Act. In 1997, after years of research, the government clearly defined the boundaries of an area for preserving the Formosan landlocked salmon. Since then, agricultural activities were abandoned on almost 36 hectares of land, which extended 50 meters from both sides of the river. Forestation also began, with more than 12,000 trees having already been planted to preserve the land.

In 2003, the government began to implement land conservation policies in accordance with the principles of the National Land Conservation Act, a bill that is still undergoing review in the parliament. According to the bill, agricultural activities for commercial purposes in areas with altitudes higher than 1,500 meters would be forbidden. As a result, by the end of 2007, commercial production in the Wuling Farm would come to a complete halt, which would cause an estimated annual loss of about US$2.4 million. Only very limited production would continue for the purpose of eco-tourism and public education.

According to this article, the plan to completely abolish farming provoked debate. Some aboriginal people at the Wuling Farm complained that the plan would ruin the lives of local aborigines who had been growing peaches and vegetables for more than 20 years. Others urged the government to help those whose lives would be affected by the plan by assisting them to find a way to make a living. Nonetheless, all agreed that it is important to preserve the salmon's habitat at whatever cost.

According to this article, the Formosan landlocked salmon belongs to a species that is the southernmost salmon to be found anywhere in the world. Due to pollution, the total number of salmon around the Wuling Farm at one point reduced to only 346. However, after years of preservation efforts, about 2,700 were found in the area in a recent field survey.

The aforementioned Taiwan Salmon Eco Center is equipped with a display farm, laboratory and outdoor observation area, in order to provide the public an opportunity to see live salmon and to educate all about the natural environment of the rare fish. The laboratory is responsible for breeding and preserving the salmon for later re-introduction into the rivers.