TAIWAN NGOS PLAN TO ATTEND FAO SEA TURTLE

UNCLAS TAIPEI 003671 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/RSP/TC, OES/OMC - DAVID HOGAN COMMERCE FOR NOAA/NMFS-DSWANSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV PHSA TW ESTH SUBJECT: TAIWAN NGOS PLAN TO ATTEND FAO SEA TURTLE CONSULTATIONS REF: STATE 243251 ¶1. In response to Reftel, AIT ESTOFF discussed sea turtle points with Fisheries Administration Senior Specialist Huang Hong-yen on November 15. Huang informed AIT that he will represent the Taiwan NGO FDCI (Fisheries Development Council International) as an observer at the meeting. He further indicated that Dr. Chen Tien-hsi, a biologist and turtle expert with Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, will represent the International Coalition of Fisheries Association as an observer (ICFA is an international NGO headquartered in Virginia). ¶2. Huang mentioned that, although no one from Taiwan attended the March 2004 FAO "Expert Consultation on Interactions between Sea Turtles and Fisheries in the Ecosystem Context", he has read the meeting report on the FAO web-site. He also indicated that Taiwan has deployed observers on board its fishing vessels operating in three oceans to collect bycatch data on sea birds, sea turtles and other species. He further told AIT that Taiwan is conducting a circle-hook pilot program in its deep-seas longline fisheries to reduce the mortality of sea turtles. He noted, however, that more data and analysis would be needed before the program could be introduced to Taiwan's fishing fleet. Huang believes that more needs to be done to reduce sea turtle bycatch. He is looking forward to attending the FAO Technical Consultations to collect information and share views on the conservation of sea turtles in fisheries. PAAL