A Study of Pond Fisheries of Taoyuan Irrigation Association Within the Expropriation Zone of Taoyuan Aerotropolis

The ponds in Taoyuan tableland result from the need for irrigation and aquaculture. However, the Water Resource Act passed in 2003 prohibited the continual aquacultural activities. Moreover, the expropriation plans of Taoyuan Aerotropolis have the further impacts on pond aquaculture. Through the survey and relevant document studies, the main objective of this study is to investigate the current operation situation of pond fisheries in Taoyuan Irrigation Association within the expropriation zone of Taoyuan Aerotropolis. Meanwhile, the study collects opinions from aquaculture producers. The study is expected to provide suggestions for government policy planning. The content of questionnaire covers the pond information, the data of aquaculture producers, and producers’ operation experience and opinions. The method of descriptive statistics analysis is conducted.
The findings of the study are as follows. Firstly, the aquaculture provided aquatic products with the largest quantity and the lowest price among Taoyuan County fisheries during 2002-2011. Secondly, aquaculture producers have significant geographic relations with ponds. They are all males with the age mostly around 60-70 years old and receive only elementary education. The form of business is partnership. Finally, the catch frequency of aquacultural products is once a year at most. Although there are 11 fish species in ponds, the aquacultural production area of tilapia is largest among them.
According to the findings mentioned above and opinions collected from producers, the suggestions of the study include moderately opening the operation of pond aquaculture fisheries, controlling the water quality of ponds, protecting the rights of aquaculture producers after expropriation, improving operation ability of producers and establishing production and marketing systems, and promoting the culture of pond aquaculture fisheries.