Taiwan Township's Fish Introduction Sparks Ecosystem Concerns

Yuli Township's decision to introduce non-native fish raises questions about ecological impact and biodiversity.

Taipei, May 12 – The Yuli Township Office in Hualien County, Taiwan, has ignited a debate after introducing 150 non-native fish into a local park pond, as part of a campaign aimed at enhancing the area's appeal.

In a social media announcement, the township office revealed the recent introduction of koi fish and red Nile tilapia, intending to create a more attractive recreational environment.

However, the post triggered a significant backlash, with the majority of the 300 comments expressing criticism.

The announcement followed the deletion of a previous Facebook statement where the office had claimed that maintaining these two non-native species would "boost biodiversity."

One commenter pointed out, "You deleted the post because you were criticized for claiming these non-native fish can enrich biodiversity ... You're not fooling us."

Other commenters argued that the office should have consulted ecological experts to prevent potential harm to the local ecosystem.

Speaking to the press, Yuli Township chief Kung Wen-chung (龔文俊) defended the initiative, stating that both fish species originated from Hualien's Aquaculture Breeding Institute and were genetically improved varieties unlikely to negatively affect the environment.

Kung explained that koi fish, for example, consume the eggs of golden apple snails, an invasive species known for damaging crops, while red Nile tilapia is a common aquaculture species widely present in ponds and rivers across Taiwan.

The township also previously kept red Nile tilapia in 2018, but visitors fished them out, prompting the office to now request that the public refrain from fishing in the pond, Kung said.

Huang Wen-bin (黃文彬), a professor at National Dong Hwa University's College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography, told the press that from an ecological perspective, introducing non-endemic species into the wild is generally inappropriate.

He commended Yuli Township for its goal of creating a more attractive environment for visitors. However, he cautioned that heavy rain or flooding could potentially allow the fish to escape and impact other ecosystems.

Yet, Huang indicated that the introduced species were not likely to threaten native species because their vibrant colors make them easy targets for predators, making it difficult for them to survive in the wild.