Scubaism

Products derived from whale sharks will no longer be on sale in Taiwan because of a ban that took effect on June 27. Whale shark meat is considered a delicacy in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. However, the whale shark is listed in the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Starting from next year, the fishing, selling, importing and exporting of whale sharks will be banned completely, said Fisheries Administration Director Hsieh Ta-wen. Under the current ban, fishermen are obliged to return caught whale sharks to the ocean, whether the fish is dead or alive. Violators may face imprisonment or a fine.

Fisheries officials also noted that two whale sharks accidentally caught off Hualien in eastern Taiwan will be sent to an aquarium in the state of Georgia in the United States early next month for teaching, research and display purposes.