A review of fish genetic research and conservation issues in Taiwan. In：K.L. Main and E. Reynolds (eds.)

Abstract

In 1991, fish production from aquaculture was about 290,000 tons. There are currently about 60 cultured food fishes and an undetermined number of imported ornamental fishes in Taiwan. In the past three decades, aquaculture research in Taiwan has focused mainly on breeding, fry production, feed, nutrition and pond management. Genetic research has been fragmented. The most prominent success in genetic techniques has been the hybridization of tilapias. Very little research has been conducted on selection for growth in fishes. However, some hatchery operators have performed growth selection by choosing spawners with faster growth rates and better body conformation. No systematic breeding lines for mating have been established in these hatcheries because it is labor intensive, requires more facilities than most hatcheries have available and most operators have an inadequate knowledge of the procedure. Inbreeding depression occurs inadvertently when only a few spawners are used as broodstock, especially if the fry are produced through artificial fertilization. In marine fishes, inbreeding depression is often not a problem due to their long breeding period and random mating behavior in captivity. Endemic fish resources have been depleted due to pollution of natural habitats, overfishing and strong competition for habitat with exotic fishes, such as tilapias. Stock enhancement and some conservation policies have been carried out for some marine fishes, the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), brook masou salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanum) and sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis). This review discusses research and practices on selective breeding, chromosome manipulation, biotechnology/genetic engineering, conservation of fishes and related problems in Taiwan.