To Combat the Import of IUU Catch and Fisheries Products, the Ministry of Agriculture of Taiwan Amended the Act for Distant Water Fisheries

To enhance Taiwan’s distant water fisheries management and development and to align with international regulations concerning sustainable operations, the Act for Distant Water Fisheries (hereinafter the “Act”) was amended on April 23 of this year and came into effect upon its promulgation on May 8. The two amended articles are introduced as follows:

I. To Ban the Import of Products Involved in “IUU Fishing”

Any catch or fisheries product involved in “illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU)” fishing activities shall not be imported. The competent authority, i.e., the Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for announcing the items and information related to the transportation or harvesting of such products. If any international treaty, agreement, United Nations resolution, or international cooperation requires it, the competent authority may announce the prohibition of importing part or all of the catch or fisheries products from specific nations or areas (Articles 3 and 14-1 of the Act).

II. To Impose Penalties for the Import of “IUU Fishing” Products

Those who violate the above-mentioned article may be fined by the competent authority between NT$6 million and NT$30 million. Those who repeatedly violate the article within one (1) year may be subjected to an increased fine of NT$9 million to NT$45 million per offense to deter further violations. (Article 36-1 of the Act)