The Milkfish Theme Pavilion, situated on Yuguang Island in Tainan’s Anping District, was founded by the “Queen of Milkfish” Lu Jing-Ying. Lu frequently emphasizes that “the milkfish is valuable from the head down to the tail.” This philosophy drives her efforts to develop a variety of products, ranging from fish meat and bones to fish scales, made into food, nutritional supplements, and skincare, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Introduction
Milkfish farming in Taiwan has a history of at least 400 years. In 1980, agricultural research institutions in Taiwan successfully introduced deep-water aquaculture and fry cultivation techniques, significantly increasing production. However, expansion of the business required addressing two primary challenges: the abundance of fish bones and the earthy taste of the fish. A single milkfish contains up to 222 bones, but skillful cutting techniques can leave it boneless. The earthy taste, caused by undigested food in the fish’s stomach, is resolved by fasting the fish a day before harvesting to clear their guts, ensuring the fish retains its fresh flavor by preventing fermentation occurring during the freezing process
Lu Jing-Ying’s remarkable contributions to milkfish product innovation have earned her invitations to share her experiences in micro-entrepreneurship on global platforms, including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Her products have also won numerous awards from the Taipei City Government, Tainan City Government, and Taiwan’s Ministries of Economic Affairs and Agriculture.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Fish Farming
The Milkfish Theme Pavilion consists of two main buildings and a small fish pond, located within a community closely integrated with the lives of local fishing villagers. The shop in the first building operates daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the remaining spaces are available only for pre-booked activities. A highlight of the first building is the fish fry tank, where bright-eyed, sleek, and glittering juvenile milkfish captivate visitors like stars of the stage adorned in sequins.As the designated “Information Center” of the Tainan City Government, the Theme Pavilion serves as the first stop for tourists visiting Yuguang Island, providing essential travel information.
The Theme Pavilion offers a range of tourism activities and experiences, including guided ecological tours of the fish ponds, industry introductions, and food and farming education. Visitors can also engage in DIY activities such as making fish balls or collagen soap and enjoy a menu-less meal. All activities require advance reservations.
