Taiwan - Preventive measures for aquaculture operators during typhoon impacts

Issues and Objectives

Taiwan is frequently affected by typhoons every summer. The powerful typhoons Morakot and Fanapi that struck in 2009 and 2010 caused massive damage to aquaculture ponds in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area due to the heavy rainfall they brought in a short period of time. This resulted in seawater intrusion, loss and death of farmed fish, causing huge losses to aquaculture farmers.

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Improvement Measures Taken

Strengthen pre-event preparations:

1. Inspect or raise the walls of the fishpond.
2. Strengthen and dredge drainage facilities.
3. Drain water from ponds and fishponds to a minimum.
4. Prepare repair equipment.
5. Install protective netting.

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Results

It effectively prevents the aquaculture ponds from overflowing, and can reduce the number of fish leaving the ponds when there is a sudden increase in rainfall and insufficient drainage or even seawater backflow. It can also promptly repair damaged equipment after a disaster.

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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Reference Websites

1. The impact of climate change and changes in wetland ecosystems on surrounding fisheries.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305906252_qihoubianqianjishideshengtaixitongbiandongduizhoubianyuchanzhiyingxiang
2. The impact of extreme weather on aquaculture and coping strategies, Taiwan Fertilizer Quarterly, Chiu Shih-chang, 2012.http://www.taifer.com.tw/taifer/tf/053002/23.html

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