Monday
Jan312011
Taiwan working hard on shark conservation: fishery official
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 9:40PM
Photo by CNATaipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) Local people's lust for shark-fin soup has again become the target of international criticism as a report issued Thursday listed Taiwan as one of the world's "Top 20" shark catchers, although local officials said the country has done much to protect the fish.
The report, released by the British conservation group TRAFFIC and the U.S. Pew Environment Group, said a United Nations' scheme to preserve the world's sharks has been a resounding failure and pinned the blame on Indonesia, India, Spain, Taiwan and 16 other major catchers of the fish.
Reader Comments (2)
"...listed Taiwan as one of the world's "Top 20" shark catchers, although local officials said the country has done much to protect the fish."
I'd heard they were exactly fourth (although the numbers can change quickly) in catching sharks. Ironically, a lot of the fishermen are doing catch and release with the sharks.
What I don't understand is how a country that can be around fourth is doing "much to protect the fish." Did / Do they elaborate? Doesn't this at least embarrass them (or the Taiwanese people into forcing their officials to take stronger measures to get them out of this position)?
You say a lot of the fishermen are doing catch-and-release, but the problem is mainly with commercial fishing for shark fin, which is not catch-and-release. I have a feeling this is just your dark sense of humor.
I agree that it sounds like a lot of government lip service in saying that they are doing more to protect sharks. As far as the public is concerned, I don't know how high the plight of sharks rates for the attention of the average person here.