It refers to the fisheries engaging in operation within 200 N.M. Exclusive Economical Zone (EEZs) by means of power fishing boat, mainly including funa fishing, trawling, large purse seine, and squid fishing, etc. Early in 1952, there were only 125 for sea fishing boats among which 95 boats were below 100 tonnage, restricted by the force of continued navigation and fishing technology, the operation fishing ground are mostly in the neighborhood of the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea, with fishing production volume at only 18,000 M.T.. In 1953, the government started to implement phase I Construction Plan, with concern in development of far sea fisheries by inducing in new model fishing technology, strengthening in financial loan operation, encouraging to build larger fishing boats, and fishing production volume. Besides, in compliance with the increase of jlarge fishing boats, the fishery owners were active in promoting new fishing grounds. Till 1972, the far sea fishing boats have increased to 1,068 with fishing production volume to attain 345,000 M.T..
Because the first energy crisis occured in 1973, operation cost was increased. Meanwithile, each nation successively announced 200 N.M. Exclusive Economical Zone that the operation fishing ground was restricted, bringing great impact on the development of far sea fisheries. The
government, in order to break through the dilemma and strive for overseas fishing ground, apply various methods to strengthen promotion of fishery cooperation with foreign countries and induced in purse seine for bonito and tuna and squid driftnet fishery in order to develop the high sea fishing ground. After 1984, far sea fisheries recovered great growth and the operating fishing ground was developed to such major global fishing grounds as the south Pacific Ocean, offshore of South Africa, the north Pacific Ocean, the lndian Ocean and the south Atlantic Ocean, etc. The operation fishing ground has been developed to the three major oceans in the world. Most fishing boats with overseas harbors as site supply and fish sale. In 1994, there are 2,980 far sea fishing boats, with total produstion volume of 683,780 M.T., valued NT$36,046,903,000 accounting for 54% of the total production volume. It contributed to make Taiwan as one of the major nations in far sea fishery development.
Recently, because many nations in the world have expanded the exclusive economical zone to be 200 N.M., marking the operation fishing ground to be restricted. Therefore, it can only maintain fishing operation through cooperation with foreign countries. At present, the nations signing
bilateral fishery agreeements with our government include South Africa, Marshal lsand, Solomon lsands, Tonga, and Tuvalu, etc., besides, such 20 nations or areas as lndonesia, Palau, lndia, Philippines, Fiji, Cook lslands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Pakistan, West Samoa,
Falkland lslands of Great Britain, Brazil, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Mozambique, Argentine, Malagasy, Niue, Oman, and Kiribati, etc. were arranged through private sectors to engage in fishery cooperation. Till 1994, there were 384 fishing boats.
Since many nations in the world announced 200 N.M. Exclusive Economical Zone, the sense of environmental protection, raise of high sea resource conservation, the traditional far sea fishing ground has gradually faded. In order to ensure the development of far sea fisheries, effort shall be made towards the following directions.
(1) Strengthen fisheries cooperation with foreign countries, promote signing fishery cooperation agreement with coastal nations, and continue to strive for the fishing boats of Taiwan to conduct operation in the Exclusive Economical Zone of other nations.
(2) Actively strive for inernational fishing harvest quota promote domestic fishing harvest quota system.
(3) Actively participate in international fishery resource cultivation and management work, ensure the far sea fisheries of Taiwan to be developed continuously.
(4) Comply with international fishery management development trend and upgrade quality of crew members in a fishing boat.