No matter how times may change, bicycles never fall out of fashion. Though they have been on the market for more than 200 years, today the combination of battery technology and artificial intelligence has opened the way to an unprecedented transformation for bikes.
Worldwide, it is found in large numbers only in the seas off Japan and Taiwan, and although it is less than five centimeters in length, in 2021 it earned over NT$400 million for Taiwanese fishermen working the waters near Donggang in Pingtung County and Guishan Island in Yilan County, making it an important seafood product for Taiwan. It is the sakura shrimp (Lucensosergia lucens).
In 2022 the value of bicycles and bicycle parts produced in Taiwan surpassed NT$200 billion. Of this, bike parts accounted for about 60%, with a value in excess of NT$120 billion. Over the past ten years Taiwan has continually been the top source country for imports of bicycle parts into the US and China and the second-ranked source country for the European Union.
Moving forward in the blackness, he listens carefully for directions from the guide running beside him: “Obstacle at 12 o’clock.” But at this point he can’t stop because the finish line is very near. Although it’s hard to run on the cobblestones, he is determined to keep going.
When you think about bicycles, what comes to mind? An adventurous BMX bike from your childhood? A YouBike pedaled around the streets of Taipei? A road bike used on weekend rides with friends? Whatever your personal experience of cycling, you know that Taiwan and bicycles go hand in hand.
The United Nations Environment Programme has stated that “the planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature as a result of human activity.” If we look carefully at the Aichi Biodiversity Targets set at the tenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10) in 2010, we can see that less than 30% of the 20 targets have been met.
Did you know that a milkfish has 222 bones? This species is nonetheless popular among ordinary Taiwanese, and is part of a well-developed industry value chain. From the development of milkfish aquaculture to its place on the dining table, Taiwanese use milkfish to the fullest, from head to tail.
Taiwan is surrounded by sea, and the ocean is not only our most familiar neighbor but also a natural seafood refrigerator, with fish following ocean currents to our island 365 days a year. One way to catch them is by set-net fishing, in fishing grounds that have been established in our coastal areas for many years.
Oyster farming in Taiwan has a history of over 300 years, and has provided livelihoods to many households along the Southwest Coast. Dongshi Township in Chiayi County is especially well known throughout Taiwan for its oysters, and has the highest production volume on the island.
Have you ever arrived at a harborside seafood restaurant for a meal, looked over the offerings laid out on the ice, and discovered that you don’t recognize most of the dozens of sea creatures on display?
Taiwan is blessed with a great wealth of marine resources. With access to more than 1,000 seafood species that vary with the season and locale, it’s no surprise that Taiwanese consumers are familiar with only a small percentage of them!
