Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-04-30

Taiwanese authorities say they are optimistic that the European Union will soon remove Taiwan from a fishing watch list. That was the word on Monday at a joint press conference held by the Council of Agriculture (COA) and Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency.

Taiwan has been on the EU’s “yellow card” watch list for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing since 2015. Officials spoke on Monday about the latest fines they have imposed for illegal fishing.

COA Deputy Minister Chen Chi-chung also gave a report on why the EU has yet to remove Taiwan from the watch list. He spoke about a visit by EU officials in mid-March to learn about Taiwan’s efforts to stop illegal fishing. Chen said that EU officials were satisfied by what they learned, saying that all the necessary laws are in place. They said that even though Taiwan has a small space in the international community, it has set up fisheries agreements with more than 20 other countries.    [FULL  STORY]