Pond management research in Taiwan. In：I C. Liao and J. Baker (eds.)

Abstract

Among all aquaculture systems, pond aquaculture has always dominated aquaculture production. In Taiwan, 87% of aquaculture production in 1997 came from ponds and 70% of the culture area was devoted to pond culture. As culture systems were intensified, pond management has evolved from more on art towards more on science. The practice has more control over the environment and is less subjected to Mother Nature, the technology used is bassed on a systematic knowledge rather than scattered experience, and production has become more programmable. The evolution of pond management in Taiwan, concerning the practice, farming pattern, and resources utilization, is reviewed. Pond management researches are described along with the development of the aquaculture industry. Future researches on pond management should expand from ponds to larger areas and cover the management of natural, derived, and human resources that are related to pond production activities. In particular, extensive understanding of the ecological dynamics in ponds under various levels of culture intensification is fundamental to develop pond management strategies and, thus, this requires attention in research. Consequently, efficient utilization of resource inputs and reduction of output from ponds may be achieved, minimizing the impact of pond culture to the environment. Research on mechanization and automation of the management process is also needed to reduce the reliance on human resources, which have already become less available in the rural areas.