1. President Attends Taiwan International Orchid Show, Praises Industry's Global Edge

The “2026 Taiwan International Orchid Show and Flower Technology Expo,” ranked among the world’s top three orchid exhibitions alongside the World Orchid Conference and the Tokyo Dome Orchid Show, opened Feb. 26, with President Lai Ching-te attending the launch. President Lai noted that the event is being organized by the Ministry of Agriculture for the first time and combined with a Flower Technology Expo. Taiwan’s growers have long integrated technology into orchid cultivation, and this year are applying new techniques to floral design and petal shaping. He said the show connects local producers with key global buyers at a time of shifting markets and mounting climate risks. Taiwan’s orchids, he stressed, are not only agricultural products but also symbols of culture and value. He expressed hope they could achieve worldwide recognition like Dutch tulips, boosting industry value, farmers’ incomes, and Taiwan’s cultural soft power. The Ministry of Agriculture said Taiwan’s orchids are prized for their strong plant health and long-lasting blooms, underpinning their global competitiveness. To sustain that edge, continued R&D and new variety development are essential — the core mission of the Flower Innovation Park Research and Development Center. The park currently covers nearly 200 hectares, with a second-phase expansion approved by the Executive Yuan to increase total area to nearly 300 hectares. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies will be introduced to enhance efficiency, cut costs, and strengthen Taiwan’s position in the global market.
 

2. Eel Fry Fishing Ban to Begin March 1, Fisheries Agency Urges Compliance

The 2025 eel fry fishing season will end on Feb. 28, 2026. Under current regulations, an eight-month closed season will run from March 1 to Oct. 31 in waters within three nautical miles of shore, as well as in intertidal zones and estuaries nationwide, except in Hualien and Taitung counties. The Fisheries Agency is urging fishers to comply to ensure the sustainability of eel resources. Eel fry migrate to Taiwan’s waters from October to April each year. To support aquaculture operations, fishing is permitted from November through February, with the remaining months designated as a closed season to allow fry to grow and replenish stocks. As of Feb. 21, total eel fry catches for the current season stood at 3,470 kilograms. The agency called on all fishers to observe the ban to ensure successful upstream migration and spawning. The prohibition applies to both shore-based hand fishers and those operating from fishing vessels or rafts. Violators face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000. In addition, to protect mature eels returning to sea to spawn, the agency has worked with 15 local governments to designate at least one river basin each where eel fishing is banned year-round. Yilan County has extended the ban to all rivers within its jurisdiction as part of conservation efforts.