Taiwan’s aquarium fish cultivation techniques are internationally renowned and the medium cichlid GloFish (fluorescent fish) developed by an expert team led by Dr. Wu Jin-lieh of the Agricultural Biotechnology Industrialization Office is another brilliant achievement. The experts have not only applied successful transgenic to South American cichlid nigrofasciata, but also completed technology transfer with Jy Lin Trading Co., Ltd. Meanwhile, they have successfully developed medium South American cichlid scalare (angelfish) with conceptacle transgenic method. The research project is funded by the Industry-Academia Agricultural Technological Cooperation Program sponsored by the Council of Agriculture (COA).

The COA said that since the first appearance of GloFish in 2001, scientists throughout the world have been hoping for a breakthrough in developing small aquarium fluorescent fishes into medium ones but failed to breakthrough some key techniques. The Council has attached much importance to the aquarium fish industry and included the industry into its Action Plan for Quality Agriculture Development Program. It has seen achievements one after another after actively promoting the utilization of agricultural technological research and development achievements, implementing Industry-Academia Cooperation Program for agricultural development, and assisting farmers and fishermen in undertaking technological R&D and industrial upgrading. That’s why the first medium cichlid GloFish in the world being introduced on June 25 included South American Amatitlania nigrofasciata and Pterophyllum scalare.

The key to developing the aquarium fish industry is continuously introduce new species. To meet the industry’s demand, the Fishery Administration published and put into practice the Administrative Regulations for the Field Testing of Aquatic Animals and Plants on April 3, 2009. At present the Mariculture Research Center is establishing the first field testing site for transgenic aquatic organisms in Southeast Asia. It is expected to promote the development of Taiwan’s aquatic transgenic technology and industry in the future and enhance the visibility and competitiveness of Taiwan’s aquarium fish industry in the world market. ( 2010-06-25)