The eel-production business of Taiwan was started in 1952 by the Department of Fishery Development of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen in Taoyuan. It was proclaimed a success in 1956 and many people began to raise eels. At present, the area used for producing eels is more than 1,600 hectares (3,000 acres).
本省養鰻事業於民國四十一年由行政院國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會所屬之桃園魚殖管理處開始實驗養殖，民國四十五年宣告成功，此後民間陸續拓池養鰻，現今專業養鰻面積已達一千六百公頃以上。