Damon Chen (Kuan-Po CHen)is an aquatic animal veterinarian and founder of Full of Frogs, Taiwan's pioneering amphibian breeding enterprise dedicated to replacing wild-caught frogs with responsibly captive-bred alternatives for the international pet trade. Through advanced breeding techniques and high biosecurity standards, Damon has built a globally recognized operation exporting to 33 countries and is recognised as the largest supplier in North America , firmly establishing Full of Frogs as a leading global brand in amphibian aquaculture.
Damon's Nuffield research addresses the urgent need to transition from wild-caught to captive-bred species in aquaculture as marine and freshwater populations decline dramatically. His study will examine land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) through visits to cutting-edge facilities including Mitsubishi and JR operations in Japan and Blue Ridge Aquaculture in the United States. By exploring how advanced RAS technology, biosecurity protocols, and sustainable breeding practices can be scaled across species, he aims to identify practical models for reducing pressure on wild populations while maintaining commercial viability. An active member of young farmer and fisher associations, Damon will disseminate his findings through agriculture, fisheries, and industry-upgrade conferences, as well as youth development programs within Taiwan's Ministries of Education and Agriculture, strengthening Taiwan's aquaculture communities.
