A bioeconomic analysis for improving productivity of short-finned eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica and Anguilla bicolor bicolor commercial culture in Taiwan

Abstract

The bioeconomic analyses of short-finned eel aquaculture in Taiwan showed that the biological, input intensity and profitability variables of different regions and stocking densities exhibited significant differences in multivariate statistical analysis. The southern Taiwan with low stocking density farming category performed the best in survival rate of short-finned eel. The central Taiwan with low stocking density farming category revealed the lowest unit cost input density, while the central region with high density farming category gained the best profitability. The stocking density is highly correlated with cost inputs and profitability. The production function analysis result showed that glass eel and feed cost input were the key factors influencing the profitability. This research suggests to appropriately reduce stocking density for the high density farming of short-finned eel in Taiwan, so as to shorten farming cycle and increase survival rate. The southern region with high density farming category should enhance the control of various costs, so as to reduce operating cost outlays. The central region with low density farming category could increase stocking density to improve productivity. Finally, the Taiwan farming industry should increase the survival rate of short-finned eels by controlling quality of imported eel fries and enhancing farming techniques.