The term “sulfuric fire fishing” originated from the indigenous Basai Tribe by the North Coast. They ignite torches with “acetylene,” flammable gas, generated from sulfur containing calcium carbide and water upon chemical changes. Additionally, they make good use of the instinct towards light of mackerels to attract the fish to jump out of water with strong light that appears in a moment, creating a spectacular scene with vitality. Mackerels are mostly used as feed for the aquaculture fishery. Local fishermen also fry mackerels and make them into dried fish. The scene of sulfuric fire fishing has been posted in the National Geographic Magazine, and won a gold medal for photography. Sulfuric fire fishing is a special culture of New Taipei City.
To preserve traditional sulfuric fire fishing method and culture in Jinshan, Fuji No. 268, the world’s only sulfuric fire fishing boat in Jinshan, has been making efforts to transform. Fisheries and Fishing Port Affairs Management Office, New Taipei City Government (hereinafter referred to as the Management Office) has cooperated with Jinshan District Fishermen’s Association to promote guided sightseeing tours led by professional culture and history experts on the sulfuric fire fishing boat to enable local students and tourists at home and abroad to learn more about the culture of sulfuric fire fishery, promote the characteristics of local fishing villages, and pass down traditional fishery culture as well as passing on the fishermen’s spirit of “sulfuric fire fishing” and preserving New Taipei City’s precious local culture.
To promote the local fishery culture, the Fire Fishing Association has promoted 3 limited tour packages for the land, sea or both the land and sea between June and September this year. Additionally, Richmond International Travel and Tours Co., Ltd., Lamigo Travel Agency and other travel agencies have promoted relevant tours, which enable people to enjoy a tour of culture at the beautiful North Coast based on their preferences! The world’s only and rare sulfuric fire fishing method is right here in New Taipei City. Being guided by professional tour guides, tourists are able to have deep experience of “sulfuric fire fishing” which records the special ancient fishing method with life in Jinshan on recreational fishing boats!
The Management Office indicated that to preserve the traditional fishing method of “sulfuric fire fishing” that has 100 years of history, the local government subsidizes calcium carbide, and continues to assist Jinshan District Fishermen’s Association to integrate fishery with tourism through the mode of industrial transformation to enhance the reputation of sulfuric fire fishery, increase the revenues of fishing boat owners earned from the demonstration of the fishing method, and bring more diverse profits to the sulfuric fire fishery. Everyone is welcome to visit Jinshan and experience the unique culture of “sulfuric fire fishing.”
For relevant information, please check the following websites:
Facebook page of the Fire Fishing Association: https://pse.is/4yj398
Richmond International Travel and Tours Co., Ltd.: https://www.travel4u.com.tw/group/itinerary/TPE01B34/ or call 4493535 (Direct local calls; for cellphone, please add 02)
