The Council of Agriculture (COA) on Saturday distributed cash awards to 100 fishing-boat owners who complied with an agency policy to report the origin and content of their catches, and is considering a program to offer them trade advantages.
COA Minister Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) said that the policy, while unpopular among fishers, became necessary after the EU in 2015 listed Taiwan as a possible non-cooperating third country — a so-called “yellow card.”
Tracking where fish are caught is essential given that the US along with the EU has been requiring Taiwan to provide records of origin, Chang said.
Photo: CNA
The EU removed Taiwan from the list as of June 27, 2019.
About 80 percent of fishers made their declarations online, Fisheries Agency Director-General Chang Chih-sheng (張致盛) said.
Ten fishery associations and one other individual received awards along with the fishers, who were randomly selected from those who were eligible, Chang said.
Chang drew a parallel with fish farmers being required to register their management and where fish are being raised.
Keeping accurate records of fishing activities is beneficial to keeping Taiwan’s fishery products on the international market, he said.
“Now I know why I am so unpopular,” Chen said jokingly when he heard that the COA minister’s name is on each fine issued to fishers who do not follow the policy.
Chang said that 52 fishing harbors have scales for fishers to weigh their catch before unloading, and the data can be recorded manually or uploaded online.
A Fisheries Agency worker said the scales have traditionally been reserved for vessels that bring a significantly large catch ashore.
Chang also said that the agency is considering prioritizing compliant fishers for a scheme that would grant them pricing advantages.
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