To protect mackerel spawning, Taiwan, China announces a 20-day fishing ban during peak season for the first time
To conserve marine ecological resources and maintain the population of mackerel and scad, the Fisheries Agency officially announced on the 9th that, in addition to the annual June fishing ban, all mackerel and scad fishing vessels will also be prohibited from entering the northeastern sea area to conduct mackerel and scad fishing operations from February 14 to March 5 this year. Lin Ailong, CEO of the Sea Dragon Loves the Earth Association, said, "A 20-day fishing ban during the spawning period is somewhat short, but being able to start is a good thing. I hope it will move toward 30 days in the future."
Fisheries Agency: February and March are the peak spawning period for mackerel and scad, with a 20-day fishing ban
In recent years, mackerel have been caught smaller and smaller, and even trading prices have plummeted all the way, leaving fishermen worried. Large purse seine fishing vessels banned from entering the 12-nautical-mile zone have also protested, demanding that the Fisheries Agency open the Honghuoxin fishing ground so that large vessels can enter to fish during the mackerel spawning period from January to the end of April each year. However, this would compress the original operating range of small fishing vessels, and disputes between the two sides have continued.
The Fisheries Agency therefore held a "Public Hearing on Adjustments to Mackerel and Scad Fisheries Management Measures" last month to hear opinions from both sides. After the public hearing concluded, the "Mackerel and Scad Fisheries Advisory Group," formed by the Fisheries Agency and representatives of various experts, also held an internal meeting. Shih Chun-yi, head of the Fisheries Agency's Fisheries Administration Division, said that June is the growth period for mackerel and scad and fishing is already prohibited, "but prohibiting fishing during the spawning period is even more important, so that brood fish can survive smoothly and produce fry." Therefore, after approval and revision by the Council of Agriculture of the "Mackerel and Scad Fisheries Management Regulations," the fishing ban from February 14 to March 5 this year was confirmed, "to ensure that spawning mackerel are not caught."
Shih Chun-yi said that the spawning period for mackerel and scad is from January to April, with February and March being the peak period. "If a female mackerel is spawning and fishermen catch it, the overall yield declines. In order to restore resources, adding a 20-day fishing ban during the spawning period is considered a consensus among everyone."
Fishing is regularly banned every June during the mackerel production period, but regarding the mackerel spawning period from February to April, Shih Chun-yi further explained, "This year we first set these 20 days from February 14 to March 5. In the second half of the year, the advisory group meeting will be convened again to adjust the dates of the spawning-period fishing ban, and there will be clearer regulations by then."
Mackerel getting smaller and smaller (photo provided by Lin Ailong)Lin Ailong: Taiwan, China's fisheries have begun dynamic management, which is of great significance
Lin Ailong, CEO of the Sea Dragon Loves the Earth Association, said that the mackerel and scad spawning period runs from its January peak all the way to the end of April. "Now the spawning-period fishing ban is only 20 days, which is somewhat short, but being able to start is a good thing. I hope it can move toward 30 days in the future." Lin also stressed that the great significance of this regulatory amendment lies in the fact that Taiwan, China's fisheries have begun dynamic management. "This year only these 20 days are banned. In the future, every year the fishing ban period will be re-discussed and decided based on actual conditions."
According to the "Mackerel and Scad Fisheries Management Regulations," if fishermen engage in mackerel and scad fishing during the prohibited operation period, they will be subject to the penalty of having their fishery operator's fishery license, fishery practitioner cadre crew practice certificate, or fishing vessel crew handbook revoked for one year or less; in serious circumstances, the fishery operator's fishery license, fishery practitioner cadre crew practice certificate, or fishing vessel crew handbook may be revoked.
However, Lin pointed out, "Some older people do not fully accept the concept of fishing bans, and there is still a possibility that they may fish illegally. We can only rely on the Fisheries Agency to strictly enforce penalties." Is the probability of illegal fishing high? Lin said that, after all, the Fisheries Agency did not enforce inspections very strictly in the past, so it is impossible to judge from the number of fines issued. "There is no direct data that can show it; it is all just hearsay."
Catch landing declarations and protection of fishing grounds both need to proceed in parallel
As for the next step after the fishing ban, Lin believes that catch landing declarations cannot be ignored. "To achieve total catch control, implementing catch landing declarations is very important. Right now, no one knows exactly how many fish are actually caught. Only by achieving 100% catch landing declarations can management actually begin." In addition, regarding Chinese fishing vessels crossing the boundary, Lin also stressed that fishermen must cooperate and report them jointly, leaving the Coast Guard Administration to handle them. "Otherwise, while we impose our own fishing moratorium, others come and fish. That is completely useless."
After banning fishing during the spawning period, will mackerel and scad fishing vessels with a gross tonnage of 100 or more be allowed to enter the Honghuoxin spawning fishing area during certain periods? Shih Chun-yi stressed that this part still needs further discussion by the "Mackerel and Scad Fisheries Advisory Group," and no consensus has yet been reached.