| 英文摘要 |
Oysters are one of the main aquaculture products of Taiwan, specifically along the southwest coast of Taiwan and in Penghu. Chiayi County has consistently been the largest producer of oysters in Taiwan, attributable to its proximity to the natural barrier of the Waisanding Sandbar. Roughly 40% of oysters in Taiwan are produced in Chiayi County. However, environmental changes, extreme weather events, and international trade, among other factors, have exposed oyster farming to greater risks and uncertainties. For this reason, this study is conducted to ascertain the business status and development process of oyster farming in Chiayi County. Field investigation, in-depth interview, and analysis of break-even point are employed to investigate the aquaculture costs, operation efficiency, and break-even point of oyster aquaculture practiced using cradle and floating racks. This empirical study not only sheds light into the production costs and development status of oyster farming in Chiayi County. It also reveals the operational uncertainties faced by oyster aquafarmers, which increases the risk of oyster farming, thus affecting the sustainability of this sector. This research is expected to benefit the government and industrial sectors as follows: (1) The findings provide a reference for assessing the impact of environmental and climate changes or the effects of international trade on oyster farming. (2) The study offers policy suggestions aimed at making oyster farming more sustainable and resilient. (3) The results can be used to formulate strategies through which the oyster industry can adapt to climate change. (4) This research raises awareness of the current status of oyster aquafarmers and helps stabilize oyster production in Taiwan, thereby mitigating the impact of international trade competition on the oyster industry. |