Around 90 percent of the aquaculture industry in southern Taiwan has recovered since Typhoon Morakot struck a year ago.The Fisheries Agency made the announcement to counter allegations that the government was not helping those in the industry.
Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan in 2009, killing hundreds of people in floods and devastating Taiwan's aquaculture and fishing sectors.
Now, the Fisheries Agency told that the government has reserved a budget to assist the aquaculture industry in southern Taiwan from 2009-12.
The government distributed TW$590 million (US$18.44 million) to 7,819 operators by the end of August. The funds have gone to help restore 10,251 hectares of aquaculture facilities and 290.95 hectares of oyster farming facilities, the agency communicated through the China Post.
Thus far the government has also aided operators in their cleanup, disinfecting, water improvement and fish seed purchasing efforts that benefited 14,000 hectares of aquaculture farms.
Additionally, the Cabinet has set aside TW$700 million (US$21.9 million) for 45 projects, mainly to rebuild aquaculture infrastructure and repair seawater supply facilities. A total of TW$590 million (US$18.44 million) has been spent for 26 of the projects so far, the agency said.
Consequently, fish farmers in the moderately affected Kaohsiung and Tainan Counties have gotten back on track with their production and shipments.
Over 80 percent of severely affected Linbian, Pingtung County has been able to ship out products since 10 June.
The government assistance to afflicted fishery operators is anticipated to end by 2011, said the agency, reports Central News Agency.
More than 90 percent of the aquaculture operations in southern Taiwan have been restored so far, the agency said.
Many grouper farmers caught a break as they were able to partake in the prospects of a Chinese market worth up to US$3.1 billion per annum. The opportunity comes after the fish got listed as one of the country's farm items to be given zero tariff treatment in the cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) signed in late June.
President Ma Ying-jeou believes Taiwan will become the largest producer of grouper in the world.
Natalia Real (Fishing Information and Services)
