Hualien: The Yuli Township Office in Hualien County is facing criticism after it introduced 150 non-native fish into a local park pond. This move was part of a campaign aimed at enhancing the area’s biodiversity, but it has sparked controversy among residents and environmentalists.

According to Focus Taiwan, the township office revealed the introduction of koi fish and red Nile tilapia in a social media post on Sunday. The goal was to create a more appealing recreational environment. However, the post was met with backlash, receiving 300 comments, most of which were critical of the decision. Criticism intensified after the office deleted an earlier Facebook statement that claimed these species could “boost biodiversity.”

Commenters expressed skepticism, with one stating, “You deleted the post because you were criticized for claiming these non-native fish can enrich biodiversity … You’re not fooling us.” Others emphasized the importance of consulting ecological experts to prevent potential negative impacts on the local ecosystem.

In response to the criticism, Yuli Township chief Kung Wen-chung explained to CNA that the fish came from Hualien’s Aquaculture Breeding Institute and were unlikely to harm the environment. Kung highlighted that koi fish could help control the population of golden apple snails, an invasive species, while red Nile tilapia is a common aquaculture species in Taiwan.

Kung noted that the township had previously introduced red Nile tilapia in 2018, but visitors fished them out. To prevent a recurrence, the township is now requesting the public not to fish in the pond.

Huang Wen-bin, a professor at National Dong Hwa University’s College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography, shared his views with CNA, explaining that introducing non-endemic species into the wild is generally inappropriate from an ecological standpoint. He acknowledged the township’s effort to enhance visitor experience but warned that heavy rain or flooding could allow the fish to escape and impact other ecosystems. However, Huang suggested that the non-native fish are unlikely to threaten native species due to their vibrant colors, making them vulnerable to predators.