Happy Fisherman
All aboard! Vancouver native Leo Seewald takes his trusty fishing boat on a one-of-a-kind voyage around Taiwan.
14:30Happy Fisherman - EP2: Here Comes the Beltfish
Leo sails off for night fishing in catching beltfish in Keelung's Baodouzi, northern Taiwan's largest fishing port. Feeding actively at night, fishing boats must leave port at midn
15:00Happy Fisherman - EP1: I Have a Dream
Leo Seewald, a native of Vancouver, Canada has made Taiwan his home after being in the country for over 11 years. Known in Mandarin as Lee Hao, Brother Hao naturalized to become a
14:23Happy Fisherman - EP3: Mystery of Baby Eel
Legal fishing of Japanese baby eels is from November to February of each year. This is when the tropical waters surrounding Taiwan are packed with baby eel catchers. We will take y
14:49Happy Fisherman - EP4: The Baby Eel School Bus
Leo uses an unconventional method in catching baby eels as he sets sail on a sampan boat offshore. Despite all the hard work, Leo only earned NT$1,000, not even enough for the gas.
15:00Happy Fisherman - EP5: A Pearl on the Pacific Ocean: Green Island
In this episode, Leo heads to Green Island a.k.a. “The Pearl on the Pacific Ocean.” After much planning, Leo finally gets to get away on a fun fishing trip. So excited to go tuna f
15:06Happy Fisherman - EP6: Yellowfin Tuna, I Got You!
Leo is still roaming Green Island, chasing his dream of catching yellowfin tuna. Waking up at 3 a.m., he headed out to sea to catch flying fish. He then used his flying fish catch
15:05Happy Fisherman - EP7: A Secret on Green Island
Leo gets up super early to have a full glimpse of the Zhaori Hot Springs, from watching the sunrise, bathing in the hot springs, to boiling eggs with the volcanic spring water. Leo
14:12Happy Fisherman - EP8: Buying a Boat in Penghu
Leo came to Penghu with his children to buy a fishing boat. Coincidentally, they came across the Lantern Festival celebration in Waian Fishing Port! With the help of Leo’s frien
13:50Happy Fisherman - EP25: Xiaoliuqiu, here I come!
Xiaoliuqiu is a coral reef island that is home to sea turtles. Leo revisits his beloved Xiaoliuqiu to up his fishing game by learning longline fishing.
12:30Happy Fisherman - EP26: Longline Fishing in Xiaoliuqiu
Mahi-mahi is one of the major catches in Xiaoliuqiu. While Leo learns longline fishing in Xiaoliuqiu, a typhoon is looming. Will he be able to catch some mahi-mahi in this risky ve
14:00Happy Fisherman – EP27: What Are the Three Things Xiaoliuqiu Is Known For?
Most captains in Taiwan are from Xiaoliuqiu. Back in the days, fishermen here led a difficult life. When typhoons stuck, some fishing boats never made it back home and were forever
13:40Happy Fisherman – EP28: Kenting Hongchaikeng
Leo is visiting several fishing harbors in Kenting National Park. Along the way to Kenting, there’s wind blowing down from the mountains, aquaculture nets, and harbors surrounded b
14:00Happy Fisherman - EP29: The Marine World of Kenting
Coming to Kenting, one has to dive into this world-class diving spot. Leo experiences two kinds of water activities here, and is lucky enough to see the precious maxima clam.
14:00Happy Fisherman - EP30: Found It, the Whale!
The whaling industry made excellent profit for Taiwan. The last whaler left the precious history and images. They’re presented in this episode.
14:00Happy Fisherman - EP31: Sakura Shrimp Catch in Donggang
Getting ready to witness the mesmerizing world of the pinkish sakura shrimp like never before. To discover the secret behind the mysterious rule that forbids boats from leaving the
14:00Happy Fisherman - EP32: Shrimp Mazu is Going to Xiaoliuqiu
Join us in Donggang, a place renowned for its Sakura shrimp. The Mazu here is also called Shrimp Mazu. In an extraordinary episode, we take you on Shrimp Mazu's first pilgrimage in
14:00Happy Fisherman EP38: Journey Across Five Counties by the Western Sea
Happy Fisherman is embarking on its most extensive voyage. Despite numerous fishing harbors along the route, Leo encounters an unexpected challenge. Leo is going to show you the ti
14:00Happy Fisherman EP39: Waisanding Sandbar: The Disappearing Land of Taiwan
Waisanding Sandbar on the west coast of Taiwan was once the home to more than a thousand residents. As sediment storage dams were erected in rivers nearby, the sandbar, without suf
13:40Happy Fisherman EP40: Catching Mud Shrimps on the Sandy Shore of Taiwan
Lukang Township used to be one of Taiwan’s major ports. While its commercial importance faded due to siltation, Lukang remains an ideal fishing ground for mud shrimps. Leo accompan
14:00Happy Fisherman EP41: Fishing in a Secret Spot off the Shore of Taichung
Despite its prominence as Taiwan’s second largest commercial port, Taichung harbor’s roots in the fishing industry are still celebrated by loaca fishermen today. Guided by a team o
13:50Happy Fisherman EP42: Sailing Taiwan's West Coast: Wind Farms and ‘Blue Tears'
Off the shore of Taichung Harbor lies a growing constellation of wind farms that will power a greener future for Taiwan. As Leo concludes his rewarding fishing trip, he visits the
14:00Happy Fisherman EP43 : Coming Back to Keelung After One Year of Voyage
After more than a year of voyage around Taiwanese waters, Happy Fisherman is finally coming back to its mother port Badouzi. On his way home, Leo visits various harbors in Northern
14:00Happy Fisherman EP44: Visiting Orchid IslandHome of the Austronesian Tao People
Orchid Island, a volcanic island off the east coast of Taiwan, is the home of the Austronesian Tao people. The island consists of 6 villages, each with their own beach to sail trad
14:00Happy Fisherman EP45: The Fishing Boat and Architecture of the Tao People
The traditional fishing boat of Tao people instantiates the Austronesian maritime culture that has thrived for millenniums on Orchid Island. Not only is the making of the fishing b
13:30Happy Fisherman Ep56: Fresh Seafood Auction at Fishing Harbor in Northern Taiwan
At Daxi Fishing Harbor in Yilan, fresh seafood is caught and auctioned daily. Ocean eel, monkfish, mantis shrimp, you name it. The auctioneer would jabber prices at an incredible s
14:00Happy Fisherman Ep57: Fixed Net Fishing and Scenic Coastline
From verdant flatlands to steep ocean cliffs, the coastline of northern Taiwan is a splendid strip of assorted geography. Sailing off the coast of Yilan, Leo relishes the panoramic
14:00Happy Fisherman Ep58: Delving Into Fixed Net Fishing in Northern Taiwan
Zhaoyang Fishing Harbor in northern Taiwan boasts a long tradition of fixed net operation, where massive nets are anchored off the coast to serve as fishing weirs. This fishing met
13:30Happy Fisherman Ep59: The Majestically Cliffy Coastline of Eastern Taiwan
The east coast of Taiwan boasts both geographical and architectural spectacles. The Qingshui Cliff in Hualien is the child of seismic forces and weathering, with a near vertical pr
14:00Happy Fisherman Ep60: Harpooning Marlin off the Shore of Eastern Taiwan
The traditional fishing method harpooning lives on in eastern Taiwan. Leo joins Captain Lin on his hunt for marlin off the shore of Hualien. Though the terrible weather makes it a
13:50Happy Fisherman Ep61: How Taiwan’s Weather Bureau Tracks Typhoons
Typhoons are frequent visitors to Taiwan in summertime. Leo visits Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, where he learns about how typhoons are spotted and tracked. To provide t
13:10Happy Fisherman Ep62: The Fabulous Harbors of Taitung, Taiwan
Leo’s harbor-hopping journey continues along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan. Some harbors are known for fresh seafood caught daily, some harbors are known for whale watching, and som
13:30Happy Fisherman Ep63: Circumnavigation of Taiwan by Fishing Boat
Leo sails south from Taitung to Pintung, finishing the last nautical mile of his circumnavigation of Taiwan. Before he arrives at his destination Houbihu Harbor, he has to traverse
15:30Hidden Gems in Historic Jiufen!-Happy Fisherman: Special Edition Ep. 1
Let’s get Spirited Away in Jiufen! Leo is headed to Jiufen Old Street for a food tour including local favorites like stinky tofu, taro root balls, and mugwort rice cakes! Once know
14:00These Majestic Blue Caves are a Natural Wonder!-Happy Fisherman Ep. 73
Xiji Islet in Southern Penghu Marine National Park is home to the famous Blue Cave, a naturally occurring sea cave carved by constant ocean erosion into a breathtaking marine lands
13:40This Maritime National Park is Full of Aquatic Wonder!-Happy Fisherman Ep. 72
Leo continues his adventure in South Penghu Marine National Park. These four islands in the southern-most point of the Pescadores are rich in fisheries and serve as a vital breedin
14:00An Epic Adventure in Penghu!-Happy Fisherman Ep. 71
Happy Fisherman Leo Seewald is setting sail for Penghu and heading back to where the dream began. This true maritime adventure departs from Kaohsiung’s Cijin Harbor before braving
14:00Kaohsiung’s Last Mullet Fish Boats!-Happy Fisherman Ep. 70
“Lian Chun Man” is the last pair of mullet fishing boats in Xingda Fishing Harbor still using traditional methods. A total of 24 crew members work together to man the two boats adv
14:00This Luxury Seafood Snack is Asia’s Best Kept Secret-Happy Fisherman Ep. 69
Happy Fisherman Leo Seewald is on the hunt for fresh mullet roe. Every winter, tons of mullet tipped of the trucks arriving at Xingda Fishing Harbor are laid out to dry as far as t
14:00Inside Kaohsiung’s Impossibly Fresh Fish Market!-Happy Fisherman Ep. 68
Happy Fisherman Leo Seewald is setting sail for Xingda Fishing Harbor which produces nearly 90% of Taiwan’s mullet roe. The voyage proves to be fun for the whole family as Leo’s mo
14:00Taking a Majestic Boat Ride to Orchid Island-Happy Fisherman Ep. 67
Leo is back to experience the best of flying fish season. Together, the crew takes a boat ride around Orchid Island to explore the six distinct boroughs from the sea. Watch as stun
