The Quality Control Status of Cobia,Rachycentron canadum, and Grouper,Epinephelus malabaricus, in Taiwan

Abstract

Aquaculture industry has grown steadily over the past few years in Taiwan. In 2005 aquaculture production amounted to over 320,000 metric tons (MT); >26% of the total seafood production. Aquaculture possessed >55,000 ha of land and >1 million cubic meters of cage culture. Tilapia and eel are the most important aquaculture products. Taiwan exports over 47,000 MT of tilapia annually, and is the world's second largest country exporting tilapia. The annual production of eel is approximately 33,480 MT. Other important aquaculture products in Taiwan include cobia, milkfish, grouper, oyster, and hard clam. Facing the demands for quality, nutrients, safety, and hygiene by both international and domestic consumers, Taiwan's government and Fishery Alliance have introduced “Traceability,”“Supply chain management,” and “HACCP Food Safety System,” and also invited industrial, official, and academic experts to set up the system of “Regulations on Taiwan Fish Products.” They include the certifications on young fish breeds, breeding management, harvesting control, and procedures of delivery and sales, in addition to the currently available certifications on processing procedures. This review will emphasize the strategies to ensure the aqua-fish quality, including the studies and operations of “Traceability,”“Supply chain management,” and “HACCP food safety system” in Taiwan.