Stay in touch and get the latest WildAid updates. )(.rar). To end these uncomfortable and unnecessary situations, more than 100 corporate leaders, government leaders and musicians have joined with WildAid, urging businesses and restaurants to commit to a shark-free Taiwan by taking shark fin soup off the menu. “After working for two decades to win full protection for whale sharks and mantas in Taiwan, we are pleased the government is fulfilling its pledge to the international community by strengthening enforcement,” said WildAid Chief Program Officer John Baker. “With these latest protections, we hope Taiwan continues its progress to becoming a marine conservation leader. It sounds like something fresh out of a low budget sci fi movie, but the megamouth shark is not only real, it’s amazing. Ninety-eight percent of consumers in Taiwan who consumed shark fin in the past three years did so in hotels and restaurants, and these establishments feature shark fin products on their set banquet menus, leaving little choice for alternatives. It was reported that the global catch of shark is about 800 thousand tons per year. Their gill plates are used in health tonics despite evidence of heavy metal contamination, including Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead. This month, four vessels caught six megamouth sharks in the space of just four days.”. “With these latest protections, we hope Taiwan continues its progress to becoming a marine conservation leader. Shi Yali/Shutterstock. They’re sought after by private buyers for their caudal fin and conservation groups such as EAST fear this financial incentive makes catching megamouths an inviting prospect for fishermen. Taiwan is the world’s fifth-largest importer and exporter of sharks and shark parts in terms of volume. With public support, we will continue to advocate for stronger regulations and lead mass awareness campaigns to help Taiwan achieve a thriving marine life that contributes to healthy oceans and sustainable fisheries. However, these measures have failed to protect the megamouth shark from a small group of fishing operators determined to profit from these rare creatures. “As a major global fishing nation and a signatory to CITES, the next logical step is to immediately extend the same protections to other endangered and vulnerable shark populations.”. hammerheads, Thresher, Devil Rays, Great Whites, and Silky sharks. Relatively few Taiwanese go into the sea, but there certainly is some surfing. “Globally there have been 230 reported catchings of megamouth sharks,” said Jonathan Tree from the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST), in an interview with IFLScience. “We hope the whale shark and manta uplisting means the tide is changing and we look forward to stricter penalties for more shark species and continuing to reduce consumer demand for manta and shark products.”. Their, gill plates are used in health tonics despite. WildAid would like to thank Acting Chairperson of OAC Lee Chung-wei and Director-General of the Ocean Conservation Administration Huang Hsiang-wen for their tireless efforts to strengthen protections for threatened and endangered sharks. Journalists on deadline may email communications@wildaid.org. These unique creatures unfortunately sell for a high price, between $6,000 and $180,000 depending on their size. Whale sharks and two species of manta rays will receive new protection under the law in Taiwan beginning June 1, increasing penalties for anyone found guilty of disturbing or capturing the three species. Under Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act, whale sharks, giant oceanic manta rays, and reef manta rays will be uplisted from “rare and valuable” to “endangered,” joining four different shark species, including Sawfishes. “One hundred and forty-six of these have been caught by Taiwanese fisheries, which together account for nearly two-thirds of global catchings. In 2018, Taiwan imported 8241 tons of shark fin and meat (valued at more than US $11.5 million), an increase of 639 tons from 2017, according to the Taiwan Fisheries Agency. Ninety-eight percent of consumers in Taiwan who consumed shark fin in the past three years did so in hotels and restaurants, and these establishments feature shark fin products on their set banquet menus, leaving little choice for alternatives. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year. Megamouths typically swim at depths of around 120-166 meters (394 - 545 feet) during the day, but they have predictable vertical migrations which bring them within fishing range between dusk and dawn at just 12 - 25 meters (39 - 82 feet) below the sea surface. Taiwan’s new protections for whale sharks are crucial as global populations continue to dwindle due to overfishing, bycatch and demand for shark meat, liver oil and fins. 1.The status of shark fishery in Taiwan @The development of shark fishery in Taiwan has a long history. A complete list of the shark attacks that have occurred in Taiwan. . It’s unclear if this migration is in search of food or favorable light conditions, but it puts the huge sharks at risk from capture be it as accidental bycatch or otherwise. In March, WildAid investigated 14 harbors around the island and discovered boats littered with carcasses from hammerheads, blue sharks and a giant manta ray. “Without full protection of these threatened species and improved monitoring for depleted species, a lack of data continues to hinder sustainable management of sharks,” said Baker. This website uses cookies to improve user experience. In Taiwan, shark fin is considered a luxury item embodying intertwined notions of generous hospitality and keeping “face.” However, this seems to be outdated and even a dish that makes guests uncomfortable. “Sharks play a critical role in ocean health,” said Teddy Chang, Chairman of LCA. “Without full protection of these threatened species and, improved monitoring for depleted species, a lack of data continues to hinder sustainable management of sharks,”, said Baker. 2013 © Fisheries Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Taiwan (R.O.C) All Rights Reserved, Address No.1, Yugang N. 1st Rd., Qianzhen Dist., Kaohsiung City 80672, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Please remember to always s, Under Taiwan’s Wildlife Protection Act, there is a long list of shark species on CITES Appendix II that should be afforded more protections, including. Their rarity has unfortunately made them a valuable specimen, and a worrying trend in Taiwan has galvanized conservation groups to urge for better protection and improved fishing practices to prevent the death and trade of megamouth sharks. In 2018, Taiwan imported 8241 tons of shark fin and meat (valued at more than US $11.5 million), an increase of 639 tons from 2017, according to the. Tel: +886-7-811-3288, Fisheries of the Republic of China(Taiwan), Vessel Record of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, Registration list for Fisheries products exported to the EU, Conservation,Managerment and Law Enforcement Statistics, Outcome of management of fisheries resource, 2000 Year Grand Production of Shark--text data (參考附件1. Taiwan’s new protections for whale sharks are crucial as global populations continue to dwindle due to overfishing, bycatch and demand for shark meat, liver oil and fins, giant oceanic manta rays and reef manta rays are unknown but their very slow reproductive rates make them especially vulnerable to rapidly depleted populations. Privacy Policy | © 2018 WildAid. Join Me and Together We Can Put an End to the Wildlife Trade, NGOs Call on Thai Government to Ban Shark Fin at Banquets, Join Me in Making the World a Safer Place for all Wildlife, Ten Years Lost - The Last Javan Rhino In Vietnam, WildAid and Eddie Peng Continue Fighting for Sea Turtles. Taiwan’s Fisheries Act banned whale shark hunting in 2008 and prohibited the capture of the two species of manta rays in 2017. , the majority for their fins, with parts from up to 73 million ending up in soup and depleting vulnerable shark populations. To end these uncomfortable and unnecessary situations, more than 100 corporate leaders, government leaders and musicians have joined with WildAid, urging businesses and restaurants to commit to a shark-free Taiwan by taking shark fin soup off the menu. From what I know, the danger of being bitten by sharks is very small to begin with, wherever you surf. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $218 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. In Taiwan, shark fin is considered a luxury item embodying intertwined notions of generous hospitality and keeping “face.” However, this seems to be outdated and even a dish that makes guests uncomfortable. “We hope the whale shark and manta uplisting means the tide is changing and we look forward to stricter penalties for more shark species and continuing to reduce consumer demand for manta and shark products.”. All rights reserved. There have been fewer than 300 spotted since their discovery in 1976 and they are considered extremely rare, meaning little is known about these deep-sea animals. “While fishing operators claim megamouth catchings are accidental bycatch, in 2018-19 just three fishing vessels were responsible for 72 megamouth shark catchings off the coast of eastern Taiwan. A megamouth is worth more than four times the average salary in Taiwan. As of June 1, those guilty of disturbing or capturing any of the three species face up to five years in prison and a fine of NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million (US$10,033 to US$50,164), according to Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC). WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. I hope you can find some nice spots to surf and some fellow surfers to surf with! “Globally there have been 230 reported catchings of megamouth sharks,” said Jonathan Tree from the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST), in an interview with IFLScience. Sign the Global Shark Pledge. By continuing to use our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. We call on the Taiwanese government to be a responsible international player and act quickly to introduce a similar ban on megamouth catching, before the megamouth shark vanishes from our oceans.”, Sign up today to get weekly science coverage direct to your inbox. Please never eat shark fin soup and help us spread the message on social media using #NoSharkFin. Taiwan is the world’s fifth-largest importer and exporter of sharks and shark parts in terms of volume. According to a 2018 survey from WildAid and Life Conservationist Association, roughly 83% of those in Taiwan who consumed shark fin soup between 2015 and 2018 were invited to do so by others and 62% preferred not to eat it when served to them at weddings and banquets. )(.rar), Recently 5 Year Catch of Shark--text data (參考附件2. global catch, and ranking as the fifth largest producer in the world following Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Spain. Please remember to always say no to shark fin soup.”. Taiwan is also one of the top five shark catchers globally. , roughly 83% of those in Taiwan who consumed shark fin soup between 2015 and 2018 were invited to do so by others and 62% preferred not to eat it when served to them at weddings and banquets. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup. Taiwan’s Fisheries Act banned whale shark hunting in 2008 and prohibited the capture of the two species of manta rays in 2017. “In 2014, Taiwan's Council of Agriculture enacted a mandatory reporting system for megamouth sharks,” said Tree. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, the majority for their fins, with parts from up to 73 million ending up in soup and depleting vulnerable shark populations. Presence of sharks (be they white or bull) doesn't equate these sharks biting people.
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