China is yet again banning import of another fish from Taiwan. Months ago, groupers were banned. This time, it’s the fourfinger threadfin.
Video Script
That’s a fish being carefully pan-fried to a nice crisp around the edges. It’s the fourfinger threadfin, popular and loved among Taiwanese people. However, China has banned the import of the fish from Taiwan earlier this month. Local fish farmers are worried about the impact.
Pingtung County, located in southern Taiwan, makes up 80 percent of Taiwan’s threadfin farming industry. Usually over 70 percent of the fish is exported to China. Without the China market, some local fish farmers worry about not making ends meet and hope the government could help brace the impact as soon as possible.
Several other local fish farmers said they are not too worried about the missing market from China, as the price of threadfin remains fairly stable. Prices also differ depending on the size of the fish. The Threadfin is also suitable for air tight packaging, making it easier to develop both a domestic and international market.
Pingtung City mayor Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) says the city will start implementing related measures, especially on diversifying the market for threadfin from Taiwan.
If you do eat fish, consider getting some threadfin next time when you grocery shop and support local fish farmers.