TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Fisheries Research Institute said Wednesday a groundbreaking achievement in land-based aquaculture with the cultivation of the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel.

Land-based aquaculture involves raising aquatic organisms like fish in controlled systems on land, using fresh or seawater in tanks, ponds, or canals. The institute has raised the species for over 600 days, with the fish now reaching weights of over 6 kilograms, according to CNA.

The batch is set to become the world’s first artificially bred stock for narrow-barred Spanish mackerel aquaculture. The findings were published in the international journal “Aquaculture International.”

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel is highly prized for its rich, flavorful flesh and is a favorite among consumers. During the Lunar New Year period, individual fish can fetch prices exceeding NT$10,000 (US$308).

However, overfishing has significantly depleted the species’ natural stock. Resources dropped from 6.6 million kg in 2002 to about 522,000 kg in 2023.

This sharp decline prompted the launch of artificial breeding and aquaculture research. The institute began its efforts in May 2023, setting a world record by successfully hatching mackerel larvae and maintaining them in aquaculture tanks for around 50 days.

However, the larvae’s fast-swimming behavior posed several challenges. Some collided with tank walls or other fish, while others died after leaping out of the tanks.

To overcome these issues, the institute improved tank conditions and feeding practices, which helped reduce losses and allowed the larvae to adapt to land-based aquaculture systems. After more than 600 days of careful management, the mackerel reached weights of 6 to 7 kg and lengths of 70-80 cm.

Notably, researchers observed the development of testes and ovaries in the fish, indicating that breeding within a controlled, artificial environment is now possible.