90% of aquaculture industry restored

The agency made the remarks in response to doubts that the government has not done enough to help aquaculture operators rebuild their operations.

Last year, Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan and triggered the so-called Aug. 8 floods that killed hundreds. Entire villages were washed away or buried by mudslides, and the storm wreaked heavy damage on Taiwan's farming and fishing industries.

The disaster even cost then-premier Liu Chao-shiuan his position as he was criticized for doing a poor job initiating emergency response measures before the storm and handling relief work after it.

Yesterday, the Fisheries Agency pointed out that the government has set aside a budget to help aquaculture operators in southern Taiwan to recover. The budget was to be executed in four years from 2009 to 2012.

By the end of August, the government has doled out NT$590 million to 7,819 operators. The money has helped restore 10,251 hectares of fish farming facilities, and 290.95 hectares of oyster farming facilities, the agency said.

Meantime, the government has helped operators conduct clean-up, disinfecting, water improvement and fish seed purchasing operations. The total area benefited from these efforts was 14,000 hectares.

Moreover, the Cabinet has earmarked NT$700 million for 45 projects, chiefly rebuilding fish farming infrastructure and restoring seawater supply facilities. As of now, a total of NT$590 million has been spent for 26 of the projects, the agency said.

As a result of these efforts, aquaculture operators of Kaohsiung and Tainan Counties, which suffered less damage, have begun production and shipments. Linbian, Pingtung County, which suffered more severe damage, has also begun to ship out products starting June 10.

In total, 90 percent of southern Taiwan's aquaculture operations has been restored, the agency said.

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