Yunlin County Government and cooperatives work together to promote local eel harvest

(中央社訊息服務20251015 18:33:54)To promote Taiwan’s local eel industry and showcase Kouhu’s fishing village culture to the public, the Yunlin County Government and the Yunlin County Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative held a press conference for an eel marketing promotion and seafood education event at the People's Hall on Sept. 22. Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya (謝淑亞), Chairman of the Yunlin County Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative Lin Yu-ta (林欲達), Deputy Director of the County Government's Agriculture Department Tsai Keng-yu (蔡耿宇), Executive Director of Food in Island Yang Tsan-ju (楊燦如), Secretary-General of the Kouhu Township Farmers’ Association Lu Hui-ling (呂惠玲), Assistant to County Councilor Chen Fang-ying Chen I-ying (陳宜盈), and Secretary to County Councilor Chen Yung-hsiu Chen Ying-ju (陳盈儒) attended the event, encouraging the public to enjoy nutritious eels and support local fishermen.

Lin Yu-ta, Chairman of the Yunlin County Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative, noted that Taiwanese people used to have little exposure to eel. In recent years, however, thanks to the efforts of the county government and the cooperative, the public have gradually come to understand the nutritional value and benefits of eel. With abundant harvests this year, he hopes to encourage people to enjoy more eel, as it is a great ingredient for barbecues during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the past, most top-quality eel was exported to Japan, but this year, due to a decrease in export orders, more will remain in Taiwan, making this year and next the best time to enjoy local eel.

Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya stated that, besides pomelo, eel is an excellent choice for both personal enjoyment and gift giving during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Eating eel for summer nourishment has been a popular practice in Japan since the Edo period, and in the past, Taiwan's finest eels were exported there. Kouhu, she noted, is a guarantee of quality, boasting a production value exceeding NT$1.2 billion. Thanks to the skill and dedication of local fishermen, this year's harvest is not only abundant but also of exceptional quality and nutritional value. She emphasized that, unlike in Japan, where eel must be imported at great expense, residents of Yunlin can enjoy fresh eel locally, just 50 kilometers from Douliu to Kouhu. She encouraged everyone to support local eel, highlighting that it is both healthy and a boon for the fishermen.

To promote the eel industry, the Yunlin County Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative has integrated seafood education with the tourism brand “Kouhu Seafood Studies – Stroll in Kouhu”, highlighting both the local eel industry and village culture. This year, the cooperative partnered with Food in Island to explore the stories of local fishermen and the eel supply chain through a special publication. By combining these insights with chef-led cooking demonstrations featuring local delicacies, the initiative injects fresh vitality into the Yunlin eel market.

At the press conference, Chef Liao Po-chuan (廖柏銓) of CueiCiou Restaurant in Huwei, Yunlin, presented ten signature eel dishes crafted from white eel, grilled eel, and raw eel. These dishes not only challenged common perceptions of eel but also highlighted its versatility as an ingredient. Hsieh and Liao further engaged the audience with a live demonstration of eel and vegetable roll. Liao noted that Yunlin eel, with its delicate texture and distinctive flavor, is perfect for a wide range of innovative dishes. He expressed his hope that, through culinary experiences like these, eel would find its way onto family tables, showcasing its diverse culinary potential.

Yang Tsan-ju, Executive Director of Food in Island, expressed her delight in the collaboration with the Yunlin County Government. Through Food in Island publication, the team were able to fully present the industry's story – from the dedication of producers to food education and cooking methods – highlighting the value of eel. She expressed hope that this collaboration would not only promote the local industry but also foster greater dialogue with the market.

Tsai Keng-yu, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, added that Kouhu currently has around 100 hectares of eel farms, accounting for 60% of Taiwan's total eel production and making it the country's most important eel-producing area. To help the public better understand the eel farming process, the county government has actively collaborated with farmers’ associations and cooperatives to promote seafood education. Over the past two years, it has also advanced the optimization and integration of food, agriculture, and seafood education venues, aiming to raise awareness of Yunlin's aquaculture industry and attract more visitors to the region to experience and purchase its premium ingredients.

Tsai emphasized that the joint publication of Kouhu Seafood Studies and Food in Island bridges consumers’ dining tables with the source of their food, serving as a concrete implementation of the county government’s “from source to table” initiative. Through this innovative marketing model, Yunlin’s high-quality agricultural and fishery products can not only strengthen their presence in the domestic market but also move onto the international stage, showcasing Yunlin’s excellence to the world. The county government will continue to support the transformation and upgrading of local industries, ensuring that the hard work of farmers and fishermen receives greater recognition.

In addition to providing bulk purchasing services for the catering and hospitality industries, the Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative also offers small-pack frozen eel gift boxes for households—perfect for preparing dishes such as grilled eel, white-seared eel, or salt-fried eel. The county government encourages the public to show their support by purchasing local eel products and helping the Yunlin eel brand shine even brighter.

Eel purchase and seafood education inquiry:
•Guarantee Liability Yunlin County Second Eel and Shrimp Production Cooperative｜05-789-2165
•Chairman｜Lin Yu-ta: 0916-875-588