Taiwan - Warming Measures for Aquaculture in Response to Cold Waves

Issues and Objectives

The 2016 "Super Cold Wave" caused a major fishery disaster in Taiwan, resulting in the mass mortality of farmed milkfish, grouper, tilapia, and sea bass, and causing heavy losses to aquaculture farmers. As a result, the impact of extreme low temperature disasters on aquaculture has gradually received attention. However, with the increasing frequency and uncertainty of extreme weather events, traditional methods of keeping warm (such as windproof cloth and windproof sheds) may not be able to effectively prevent the pond water temperature from dropping too low under the influence of several consecutive days of low temperatures.

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Improvement Measures Taken

The "Fishpond Heater," jointly developed by the Kaohsiung City Government Ocean Bureau, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, and aquaculture farmers, uses a modified blower combined with a heater (Figure 1) and connects pipelines to the bottom of the aquaculture pond (Figure 2) to pump heated air into the pond water, creating a warm water area.

Figure 1. Fishpond heater. Image source: References

Figure 2. Pipeline laying connected to the bottom of the pool. Image source: References

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Results

Currently, in the Qieding, Yong'an, and Mituo areas surrounding the Xingda Power Plant, a total of 16 aquaculture demonstration households have achieved the effect of keeping warm and resisting cold by setting up "fish pond heaters". They can adjust the water temperature in advance before the cold wave arrives, so that the fish can carry out cold-resistant behaviors within a suitable water temperature range, helping the fish to survive the cold wave. At the same time, it also increases the oxygen content in the water and promotes the circulation between the upper and lower water layers.

Glossary

Climate change risk assessment: Using effective assessment tools to understand the medium- and long-term impacts of climate change on various sectors, and to propose corresponding adaptation strategies and actions to reduce the risks brought about by climate change.

Case type:

Structural and physical options: engineering techniques or reinforcement of existing structures, integrated technology development

Social options: learning and exchanging disaster knowledge in the community, and developing and applying early warning information.

Institutional options: Establishing institutions at the economic, policy, and legal levels

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References

Kaohsiung City Government Ocean Bureau (2018). Kaohsiung Fishponds' Secret Weapon for Cold Weather Protection: Taiwan's First Fish Heater. Website: https://kcmb.kcg.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=6CBF144DB7F66BBD&sms=FDA94CED7B26AF3F&s=92EC933D723A3C44. Accessed: 2019/04/20.

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Reference Websites

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