The Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday it is scheduled to finish plans for fishing conservation areas off the west coast this year as part of efforts to preserve Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.
Known locally as the “Matsu’s fish,” the humpback dolphins live in coastal waters from Miaoli to Tainan. They are characterized by their conspicuous humps and elongated dorsal fins.
They have been listed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature as a critically-endangered species.
COA statistics show that an estimated 96 to 98 humpback dolphins still live in the waters off Taiwan.
“This year, the main task we have to accomplish is to complete the planning of the fishing resources conservation areas as well as fishing exclusion zones,” said Chang Hong-yi (張宏毅), a representative from the COA’s conservation division.
Chang said the measure was implemented because many fishermen use trawl nets or gill nets, which may accidentally capture humpback dolphins.
He made the remarks at a public hearing yesterday, hosted by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇). The hearing was held to help establish conservation policy for the dolphins.
Tsai Chia-yang (蔡嘉陽), chairman of the Changhua chapter of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, pointed out other threats to the dolphins, including major construction projects along the west coast.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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