Controversial Draft on White Ribbonfish"Chen Chi-chung Declares Total Volume Control and Domestic Sales Priority, Final Decision Only After Full Discussion Among Industry and Academia
The Fisheries Agency recently gave advance notice of the "Draft Measures for the Trial Operation of Fishing Vessels Transporting and Handling Coastal and Offshore White Ribbonfish" (hereinafter referred to as the White Ribbonfish Management Draft). Because the draft does not set an export cap, it has raised concerns about overfishing leading to resource depletion. The public has even launched a petition calling on the Fisheries Agency to suspend implementation of the measures. In less than two days, more than 4,000 people had joined the petition.
Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung said in an interview this evening (the 5th) that regarding the various demands in the public petition, including that a resource survey should be launched, that overfishing should be opposed, and that total volume control is needed, the Council of Agriculture understands and agrees. It will confirm the principle of "domestic sales priority, export control" and conduct a white ribbonfish resource survey as soon as possible. For overall catch volume, total control will be based on the previous year's export volume and domestic demand.
Chen Chi-chung stressed that in the future, stable production and sales information for white ribbonfish will be ensured so that fishermen's rights are fully protected. Within this week, fishermen, the petition organizers, and academia will also be invited to discuss the matter together. The content of the draft will be finalized only after these groups reach a consensus, ensuring sustainable resources.
The draft seeks to change the white ribbonfish sales model, but has triggered worries about overfishing
White ribbonfish has sold well in China in recent years. According to reliable sources, for the past several years the sales channels were mostly controlled by organized crime, and there were even incidents of forced buying and exploitation, as well as reports of gun battles over fish that affected public order. On July 24, the Fisheries Agency gave advance notice of the White Ribbonfish Management Draft. In addition to the existing mini three links channel for sales to China, it will open up direct sales of chilled and live white ribbonfish to China by transport vessel, with only fishing boats operated by fishermen's associations allowed to participate. The new law will greatly reduce the transport cost and time for white ribbonfish, and through the fishermen's associations' joint marketing model, it will break through the existing white ribbonfish sales channels controlled by specific forces.
However, the management draft does not set a catch or export cap for white ribbonfish sold to China. China's market has strong demand of more than one million tonnes each year. Various sectors worry that this move will lead to excessive fishing of coastal and offshore white ribbonfish and large-scale sales to China, not only driving up domestic prices but also causing resource depletion.
Because the Fisheries Agency's advance notice period for the draft was only 14 days, several environmental groups, including the Society of Wilderness, the Homemakers United Foundation Consumer Cooperative, and the Taiwan Environmental Information Association, launched an emergency petition demanding that the Fisheries Agency suspend implementation of the management measures and convene a joint meeting of experts, industry, and civic groups to formulate a feasible plan consistent with ocean sustainability and industry development, and to effectively manage overall catch and export volume. Response was enthusiastic. As of this evening, 4,261 individuals and 22 organizations had joined the petition, showing widespread concern.
Fisheries Agency: Comprehensive management will fully grasp white ribbonfish resources
Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Wang Cheng-fang said that the draft plans to allow only district fishermen's associations to integrate boat owners and operate through joint marketing (the general public may not operate), which can prevent fishermen from being exploited by improper forces. The transport voyage time should be shortened, helping preserve the freshness of the catch and increasing fishermen's income. Fishing boat operators are required to submit a fish unloading declaration, which helps grasp catch data and conduct scientific research, facilitating the future formulation of white ribbonfish resource management measures.
The draft is expected to adopt the following management measures: 1. Fishermen's associations will integrate boat owners and sell white ribbonfish through joint marketing. 2. Cooperating fishing boat owners must truthfully declare their catch volume, and fishermen's associations must declare the loading and unloading volume and transaction data for each export voyage. 3. White ribbonfish transport vessels may carry only white ribbonfish and must berth at designated Taiwan fishing ports and mainland ports. When returning to port from the mainland region, they may not carry any items, and coastal patrol agencies will conduct entry and exit port inspections. 4. A cap will be set on the number of white ribbonfish transport vessels (currently tentatively 6), which must be equipped with VMS and normally report their position once every hour.
The Fisheries Agency stressed that white ribbonfish can be caught in the waters of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China. The East China Sea is the most important fishing ground, with mainland China having the highest production. In the future, by accumulating fish unloading declaration data and adding scientific research, it will present scientific data and consult with neighboring countries to achieve the goals of effective management and sustainable use.
Chen Chi-chung: Total volume control will be established, and the final decision will be made only after full discussion among all sectors
In response to the controversy over the petition caused by the draft's lack of a catch cap and total volume control, Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung said this evening that regarding the concerns in the petition from all sectors, the Council of Agriculture fully understands and accepts them, including that a white ribbonfish resource survey should be launched immediately and that domestic sales should have priority while exports are controlled. The Council of Agriculture will hold a discussion meeting within this week, inviting fishermen, the petition organizers, and academia for full discussion. "We will definitely wait until discussions are completed and consensus is reached before making the final decision."
Regarding the total volume control emphasized by environmental groups to ensure sustainable fishery resources, Chen Chi-chung said the Council of Agriculture will propose a total volume control model based on domestic demand and the previous year's export figures, ensuring the sustainability of coastal and offshore white ribbonfish resources.