A proposal by the Council of Agriculture (COA) to protect coral reefs by banning the use of spearguns within 12 nautical miles (22.2km) of the nation’s coastline has outraged fishermen and Taitung County councilors, who plan to protest in front of the Taitung County Council today.
The council on March 15 published a draft amendment to the Fisheries Act (漁業法), triggering a 60-day period for public comment before the proposal is forwarded to the Legislative Yuan.
The amendment would ban the use of spearguns, which are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior, within 22.2km of the coast with the exception of spearguns registered in and used by Aboriginal communities, by the legitimate spear fishing industry and for academic research.
The Taitung County Police Bureau said there are 178 registered spearguns owned by Aborigines and 190 owned by fishermen.
The Taitung County Council on Thursday and Friday held public forums on the proposed amendment.
Many people in Taitung make a living from fishing and the central government cannot issue an order that would restrict their ability to support themselves, Taitung County Council Speaker Rao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) said.
Fisherman Lin Yuan-chang (林源暢), who spoke at Friday’s forum, said a scuba tank’s air usually lasts for 30 to 40 minutes, and it takes about 10 minutes to catch a fish.
Given the restrictions, scuba-diving fishermen usually hunt for fish weighing more than 1kg, because smaller fish do not make the effort worthwhile, Lin said.
Taitung County councilors Hsu Chin-jung (許進榮) and Hsieh Hsien-yu (謝賢裕) have spoken out against the proposal and said they would take part in today’s protest.
“There are pros and cons to the draft amendment,” Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Huang Hung-yan (黃鴻燕) said yesterday. “Environmental protection campaigners are strongly opposed to the use of spearguns.”
“We have heard different opinions and will hold a public hearing in late May,” he said, adding that a date and venue have not been set.
Additional reporting by Lin Chia-nan
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The