Recent biotechnology development and application on propagation and growth improvement of aquaculture species in Taiwan

Abstract

With the leveling off of capture fisheries production in Taiwan, aquaculture is considered to fill the gap of consumption, profit-making and sustainable species diversity. The unlikely increase of tradictional aquaculture without the appropriate biotechnologies was noticed. Scientists and aquaculture at the forefront have the common understanding to work together to develop and apply the biotechnology while paying attention to retain the pristine environment for generations. In Taiwan, biotechnological studies on propagation and growth improvement, in terms of quantity and quality, of aquaculture species have been strongly carried out. Twenty years ago, aquaculture rapidly progressed into the budding and growth stages through reproduction manipulation, monosex induction, monoculture of live food organisms, basic cryopreservation of fish sperm, among others. In the last ten years, aquaculture in Taiwan reached the prosperous and transitional stages. To deal with problems due to increased production and productivity, budgets were allocated for research projects to ease disease outbreaks and respond to the need for species diversity conservation. Currently, non-molecular biotechnologies, such as chromosome manipulation, cryopreservation, and immune enhancement, are still being pursued. However, molecular biotechnological studies are more recently emphasized to improve the efficiency of production and to elevate the survival rate of culture species. Researchers are focused on using genetic engineering, including development of gone transfer related technology, vaccine development, etc., specifically for breeding improvement, and disease control and prevention. In this paper, recent biotechnological studies on propagation and growth improvement will be discussed together with the anticipated expansion in the following directions: 1. Integration of biotechnology with other innovations developed in new frontiers such as cryo-physiology, and mechatronic engineering; 2. Linkage of developed animal or human medical biotechnology to aquaculture biotechnology; 3. Attention on the bio-diversity of species for aquaculture in the present and future generations; 4. Prevention of losses due to disease outbreak, through development of efficient immune stimulators or other methods; and, 5. Integration of research and development resources from all sectors of government, research institutes and industry.