The Fisheries Agency has started requiring electronic catch reporting equipment on long-distance fishing boats.
An agriculture ministry official said Friday that this requirement will make catch reporting and control more efficient.
The requirement is a response to a warning from the European Commission in October. The warning was based on shortcomings in Taiwan’s legal framework with regard to fisheries. The warning also cites a lack of sanctions that deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and a lack of effective monitoring and control of Taiwan’s long-distance fleet.
The European Commission has given Taiwan six months to resolve the issues. If the shortcomings are not addressed within six months, the EU might consider trade sanctions on fisheries products from Taiwan.