The Fisheries Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, has made a breakthrough in the cultivation technology for glass crayfish, successfully developed intermediate breeding technology for lobster, and cultivated glass crayfish seedlings from 2 cm to 5 cm in size, with a seedling success rate of over 70%. It has effectively solved the long-standing seedling cultivation problem faced by the industry.
According to the Fisheries Research Institute, there are 19 species of Panulirus in the world, eight of which are found in the waters around Taiwan. Due to the high price of lobster, it is facing strong fishing pressure, leading to a sharp decline in resources. To protect lobster resources, many countries such as India, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have taken corresponding protective measures, including legislation to regulate catches and fishing seasons.
The Fisheries Research Institute has pointed out that Taiwan's lobster supply has long relied mainly on imports or wild fishing. In recent years, people have tried to import 2-cm glass crayfish seedlings for cultivation. However, during the cultivation period, young lobsters eat each other, and due to factors such as water quality, environment, and disease, the mortality rate is quite high. After years of experimental research, the Fisheries Research Institute successfully overcame technical bottlenecks and, through environmental regulation and high-quality feed, managed to grow crayfish seedlings from 2 cm to 5 cm in size within two months. The Institute expressed that the development of intermediate breeding technology increased the breeding rate of crayfish seedlings to over 70% and effectively reduced the breeding cost. In the future, it will continue to improve its breeding and fattening technology, and combine it with the fishery and power symbiosis facilities to further develop a commercial lobster farming model suitable for Taiwan.
Photo 1. Baby lobsters with a body length of 2.5 centimeters after the first shedding
Photo 2. Large algae types, such as sea water fungus, are provided for baby lobsters to hide from being eaten
Photo 3. Regular weekly inventory and appearance inspection of lobster seedlings