Improving the management of commercial giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata aquaculture in Taiwan for improved productivity: a bioeconomic analysis

Abstract

A multivariate statistical analysis was conducted with the aim to identify the key factors affecting the profitability of commercial aquaculture of the giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata on Taiwan. The results revealed significant differences between the different fish farming systems used on Taiwan in terms of sustainable and profitable commercial enterprise. In terms of production costs, the water circulation systems accounts for the highest costs in water production, and feed costs account for 82.3 % of the total production cost. However, the survival rate is low, about of 20-30 %. Eels were cultured for 2-3 years before a market profit was reached. The farming system in the eastern region of Taiwan had the lowest production cost. The benefit-cost ratio of the concrete pond in the central region of Taiwan and the soil pond in the eastern part of Taiwan was the highest, at about 2.6, and profitability was relatively good; however, the farming cycle is longer and the production risk is higher. These results also show that the survival rate is significantly correlated to production efficiency. Consequently, based on our analysis, we suggest that strengthening cultivation techniques, appropriately increasing stocking density and segmenting glass eels farming in terms of nursery rearing and grow-out will reduce the production risk and enhance the profitability of the industry.