The whitebaits that fishermen catch are often the fish larvae of anchovy such as oceanic anchovy, shorthead anchovy and Japanese anchovy instead of larvae of all types of fishes.
As the fishermen tend to use relatively smaller mesh fishing net (commonly known as the “mosquito fishing net”) to catch them, it is often easy to catch the larvae of other economical fishes. Besides, every year from June 15 to September 14 is also the period for other fishes to incubate and grow up.
Therefore, the ratio of catching other species is relatively high during this period. It is the reason that New Taipei City government has set the period from June 15 to September 14 as the annual larval anchovy fishing moratorium in accordance with “Framework for Local Competent Authority to Stipulate Fisheries Management Mechanisms”.
It is expected that, by restricting the number of operating vessels and catches, the larval anchovy fishery will have a sustainable resources and operation in the future.
