Great white shark, basking shark and megamount shark Fishing is prohibited in Taiwan
Great white shark, basking shark and megamounth shark fishing has been prohibited in Taiwan since November 10, 2020, and incidental catch shall be released immediately and reported to the authority.
Great white shark, basking shark and megamounth shark are large cartilaginous fishes that are of concern in the worldwide. In order to better understand the stock dynamics of these species, the Council of Agriculture promulgated the regulations on March 5, 2013, and implemented a catch notification and scientific sampling system. As a result, a total of 34 great white sharks, 0 basking shark and 139 megamouth sharks have been reported to date. In February 2020, the regulations were amended to have additional measures for observers to carry out scientific observation operations on board.
Great white shark and basking shark are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and categorized as Vulnerable and Endangered, respectively. Although megamouth shark is categorized as a species of “Least Concern” on its Red List, the IUCN recommended Taiwan adopting management measures including compulsory live release of incidental catch, and a seasonal closure from April to August.
The Fisheries Agency stated that, Megamouth shark, though not a targeting species of Taiwanese fishing vessels, is the third largest shark after whale shark and basking shark. In order to ensure that they are not threatened by fishing, as well as to maintain marine biodiversity, the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, taking into account the assessment of IUCN, has promulgated the amendment of "Regulations on the Control Measures for Catching Great White Shark (Carcharodon Carcharias), Basking Shark (Cetorhinus Maximus) and Megamouth Shark (Megachasma Pelagios)" on November 10, 2020, in which those species are prohibited from fishing, except for domestic teaching or scientific research purposes and that is so approved.
Any person who catches those sharks but not releases in accordance with the regulations shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, short-term imprisonment, or in lieu thereof or in addition thereto a fine of not exceeding 150,000 New Taiwan Dollars in accordance with Article 60, paragraph 2 of the Fishery Act. Any person who fails to report the catch to the authority shall be liable to a fine of between 30,000 and 150,000 New Taiwan Dollars in accordance with Article 65, subparagraph (6) of the Fisheries Act.
Contact Point: Deputy Director-General Mr. Cheng-Fang Wang
Contact E-mail: chengfan@ms1.fa.gov.tw