In response to Greenpeace’s accusation that the Fisheries Agency of Taiwan covers up an illegal fishing vessel loaded with shark fins and illegal catches, this Agency clarifies that it has endeavored to comply with conservation and management measures adopted by relevant regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and it has never and will not evade responsibilities tasked by international community. Nonetheless, as for the fact that Greenpeace boarded and inspected Taiwan’s fishing vessel without the permission from the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan), the Fisheries Agency also expresses its strong protest.  

　　The Fisheries Agency said that Shuen De Ching No. 888 has a valid fishing license and certificate for fishing vessels operating at overseas bases, and it’s authorized to operate in the high seas of the Pacific. In accordance with Conservation and Management Measure 2013-03 (CMM 2013-03) adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), this Agency included this vessel into the WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV) on 22 May 2015, providing related data to the WCPFC Secretariat, which, on the same day, acknowledged the receipt of such data. Pursuant to provisions of CMM 2013-03, the Secretariat shall incorporate such data into the WCPFC RFV. In addition, this Agency also submitted the Vessel Tracking Agreement Form of this vessel to the Secretariat, which acknowledged the receipt as well. Hence, Shuen De Ching No. 888 is legally authorized to operate in the western and central Pacific Ocean. To further clarify this incident, the Fisheries Agency wrote a letter to WCPFC Secretariat On 10 September 2015, raising its concerns and seeking for clarification from WCPFC Secretariat. The WCPFC Secretariat replied on 11 September, confirming again the receipt of the data submitted by this Agency on 22 May and stating that they are sincerely sorry for the oversight in running the RFV update.

　　The Fisheries Agency further indicated that it will investigate against Greenpeace’s accusation of this vessel’s alleged shark fining and illegal transshipment, requesting the Coast Guard Administration to instruct the patrol vessel which is now conducting high seas inspection on the southern Pacific Ocean to board and inspect Shuen De Ching No. 888. Upon confirmation of such violations, this Agency will impose sanctions on this vessel in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. 

　　The Fisheries Agency has promulgated a series of management measures on sharks since 2012, such as Regulations on the Disposal of the Fins of the Shark Catches of Fishing Vessels and Regulations on the Import of Shark Fins. The former regulations stipulate that for fishing vessels landing shark catches at domestic ports, shark fins shall be naturally attached or tied to carcasses, depending on the sizes of fishing vessels. As for fishing vessels whose shark catches are landed and sold at foreign ports, such regulations are not applicable, and they shall comply with relevant regulations of RFMOs instead; that is, shark fins and carcasses can be disposed separately, but the ratio of fins shall not be over 5%. In light of the Regulations on the Import of Shark Fins, only those shark fins harvested by fishing vessels listed in the RFV of RFMOs are allowed to be imported. Moreover, for non-fishing countries/regions that conduct entrepot trade of shark fins, like Singapore or Hong Kong, shark fins from those countries/regions are not allowed to be imported to Taiwan. Inspection at domestic ports is also carried out for more than 3,000 times so far. Any irregularities will be punished accordingly. Efforts have been made to ensure the sustainable utilization of shark resources.

　　Actively participating in relevant RFMOs, providing guidance and assistance to the fishing industries so as to comply with conservation and management measures of RFMOs, and implementing law enforcement are the goals of the Fisheries Agency of Taiwan. This Agency will continue to its works to achieve those goals. However, Greenpeace’s boarding and inspection of the said vessel was conducted without the permission from the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan), thus seriously infringing the jurisdiction of the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan), and this Agency strongly protests against such behavior. 

　　Contact Person: Mr. Hong-Yen Huang, Deputy Director-General of　the Fisheries Agency of Taiwan

Mobile: 0920-089165

 BJ5128_SHUEN DE CHING NO 888_19 May 2015.