A newfangled forbiddance has been set in place by The Fisheries Agency in Taipei to protect three giant shark species from being accidentally caught by sportfishing vessels off the coast of Taiwan . The alteration follows a recentsurge in incident catch of megamouth sharks , with great whites and savour sharks also being protect by the change . The move hop to conserve the biological diversity of shark species in the region by force fishing boats to eject any bycatch sharks – regardless of whether they are bushed or live – and removing any possible profitable gain from the accidental capture of these animals .
A similar ban had already been put in station to prohibit the inadvertent snatch and sales event of whale shark in 2008 and giant manta rays in 2018 . Earlier this calendar month , it was report that six megamouth shark had been catch by four sportfishing boats in four Clarence Shepard Day Jr. which were then sold on . An unnamed sportfishing operator acknowledged in a statement that megamouth shark are mostly still living when identify catch up in fishing nets , and yet before now all see specimen entered into Taiwan ’s compulsory reporting organization were recorded as dead by the operator . These incredibly uncommon oceanic giants go for a pretty penny as a coveted constituent for traditional medicines , with specimen bringing in up to $ 180,000 depending on their size of it .
large white shark are another vulnerable species associated with by-catch in the region , as well as basking sharks which are endangered , grant to theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Red List . The only exception for the capture of these sharks will be for scientific inquiry with all project requiring approval from the Cabinet - grade Council of Agriculture before sportfishing efforts can start .
The ban come as welcome intelligence to the Taipei - based nonprofit and nongovernmental Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan ( EAST ) , which was implemental in force for greater protection for megamouth sharks , one of the most rarely seen sharks in macrocosm . Since their initial find in 1976 , only 226 have been recorded around the macrocosm , over half of which were caught in Taiwan .
" I am thrilled to see piscary and preservation mathematical group working together to promote the preservation of rare marine life and scientific research , " said Fisheries Agency Director - General Chang Chih - sheng in astatement . " The protection of inherited diversity and marine biodiversity is not only the worry of conservation group , but a key contributor to sustainable fishery development . "
