“Fire masters” who are the key figures of a sulfuric fire fishing boat are usually served by experienced and senior sailors. However, over the past few years, the decrease in the number of fish catches because of the environment along with emigration and population aging in fishing villages have led to the decline of the labor force for fishery year by year. At present, only three fishing boats have the technique of “sulfuric fire fishing” which has been registered with World Cultural Heritage. Therefore, preserving this traditional cultural artistry is an important mission that Shi-Kai Jian has given to himself. Jian, a “fire master” and young fisherman on Fuji No.268 sulfuric fire fishing boat, persists in going out to sea in the fishing season after he took over the family business. Additionally, since 2020, he has been conducting a course tour on campus with Jinshan District Fishermen’s Association after the fishing season ends. He shares his experience of sulfuric fire fishing with elementary school students at the North Coast of Taiwan, deepening local students’ understanding of the fishing culture. Moreover, his youth returning home experience aims to attract more young people to devote themselves to the trade.
Shi-Kai Jian has summoned other like-minded fishermen to establish a cooperative which sells local seasonal aquatic products and researches and develops processed mackerels. They also seek an alliance with local stores and restaurants to create aquatic products with local features. Additionally, they transform recreational and leisure fishery and organize the Sulfuric Fire Fishing event with New Taipei City government and the Administration to demonstrate the technique of sulfuric fire fishing and promote the culture of sulfuric fire fishing to attract tourists and enhance the sightseeing function of Huanggang Fishing Port. Moreover, they will continue to train a new generation of sailors to pass down the fishing culture of “sulfuric fire fishing at Huanggang Fishing Port.”
