Taiwan is well-known for extraordinary biodiversity. Of the 53,000 native species recorded in Taiwan, 3,100 are fish – more than one-tenth of fish species known globally. Abundant fishery resources, delicious seafood and the commercial value of marine eco-tour activities, as well as the fact that Taiwan is an island, mean that considerable attention is paid to fish in Taiwan. However, over the past 50-60 years, overfishing, habitat destruction, environmental pollution, alien species introduction, and global warming have caused serious marine resource shortages and species extinction. Education and promotion of knowledge of marine diversity and conservation is therefore important if Taiwan is going to enjoy its diverse fish population in the future.

The Biodiversity Research Center of Academia Sinica has opened a five-month exhibition entitled “Happy e-Generation for Fishes” from December 7, 2011 to April 30, 2012 on the second floor of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Academia Sinica.

At the exhibition, visitors can access the Fish Database of Taiwan and search for information about the morphology, habitat, and distribution of Taiwan’s 3,100 fish species. In addition, conservation issues are explored and unusual fish are highlighted. The ocean sunfish, for example, is the most fertile fish in the world with a female producing as many as 300 million eggs at one time. The whale shark is the largest recorded fish with adult measuring up to 18 meters long and weighing 1,200 kilograms. Other peculiarities include the bizarre barreleye fish that has a transparent head and tubular eyes and the lined seahorse that can make “clicking” sounds. The database is supported by the Taiwan e-Learning and Digital Archives Program (TELDAP).

The exhibition attempts to answer questions such as why there are so many fish species in Taiwan, what Taiwan’s native species are and why fish diversity is decreasing. A real-time underwater video of Kenting and a 3D-virtual fish world are also presented.

"Happy e-Generation for Fishes" Special Exhibition
Exhibition title: Happy e-Generation for Fishes
Dates: Wednesday, December 7, 2011－Monday, April 30, 2012
Opening hours: 9:00－17:00, Monday through Friday
Special open day: Group tours offered on the first Saturday of each month, please make reservation two weeks ahead of time.
Venue: 2F, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Academia Sinica, No.128, Sec.2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
Sponsor: Taiwan e-Learning and Digital Archives Program－Institutional Project of Academia Sinica
Organizer: Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Digital Archives of Taiwan Fishes Project