Taiwan's Nanfangao Celebrates 30th Mackerel Festival with Culinary and Cultural Festivities

Yilan County, Taiwan, is set to host the "Nanfangao Great Mackerel Festival" on September 5-6, marking the 30th anniversary of its beloved Mackerel Festival. This year's event promises an expanded celebration at the Nanfangao Third Fishing Port, focusing on four main themes: mackerel cuisine, fishing culture, marine education, and migrant worker integration.

Nanfangao is renowned as Taiwan's "hometown of mackerel," contributing over 90% of the nation's catch due to its location at the confluence of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents. The rich, oily mackerel is central to the local economy and culture, celebrated annually through various festivals.

This year's festival will feature a diverse culinary experience. The Su-ao District Fishermen's Association's home economics class will offer grilled mackerel and mackerel rice bowls, along with DIY options. Reflecting the diverse community in Nanfangao, IBU Kitchen will present Southeast Asian-inspired dishes like "Otak-Otak" (Sumatran fish cake) and "Sate Lilit" (Balinese lemongrass fish satay), showcasing the port's "borderless cuisine."

Beyond food, the festival includes a "Nostalgia, Fishing Port, Imagery Exhibition" documenting the lives of fishermen. A vibrant "Great Mackerel Art Parade" on September 6 will feature mackerel imagery combined with local beliefs and celebrations. Educational activities for all ages, such as ocean waste cyanotype printing, bioplastic creation, and fish-eating board games, will be offered in collaboration with local schools and institutions. The event also includes migrant worker talent shows and hands-on craft workshops, promising a multi-sensory experience of the fishing industry.

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Nanfangao Fishing Port is known as Taiwan's 'hometown of mackerel.' Due to its location at the confluence of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents, the mackerel catch here accounts for up to 90% of the total in Taiwan. The fish is tender and rich in oil, representing the most important economic lifeline and cultural symbol of the area.