With autumn fast approaching, one kind of fish in Taitung is making a splash.
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Fishermen at the Chenggong Xingang port in Taitung have enjoyed a harvest 1.7 times larger than previous years. As the fishermen move their catches to shore, fish larger than their arms can be seen. The fish with colorful scales and bulges on their foreheads are dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi, which are abundant in waters east of Taiwan.
In previous years, the weight of dolphinfish caught in one year amounted to about 700,000 kilograms. This year, 1.2 million kilograms have been caught, 1.7 times higher than before.
Taitung Xin Gang District Fisherman’s Association Director Chen Chin-tai (陳錦泰) says dolphinfish produce juicy and delicious meat as they are rich in fats from head to tail.
The Kuroshio current that runs by the port makes eastern Taiwan waters a ripe fishing ground for migratory fish including swordfish, tuna, bonito, and more. Among those, dolphinfish are the most prevalent.
The U.S. had previously reduced its purchase of seafood from Taiwan due to incomplete production and sales history. The association is now working on the proper documentation with the hopes that dolphinfish may make a splash once again in the U.S. market.