Encouraging fishing layoffs, sustainable resources, sustainable fisheries
The measure for the
encouragement of fishing layoffs was initiated in 2002 after Taiwan’s accession
to the WTO, when Taiwan was facing the international pressure of lifting of all
direct subsidies on production. The Council of Agriculture thus developed the
Measure on the Adjustment of Preferential Fuel Price for Fisheries, which was
approved by the Executive Yuan for phased reduction of fuel subsidies on
fisheries. Starting from 1 September 2002, fuel subsidies were reduced from 28%
to 14%. Subsequently, the fuel cost for fishermen was increased. In order to
encourage fishermen to focus their operation during the time when the resource
was at peak abundance, while tie their vessels in port for carrying out fishing
layoffs during off-seasons to save fuel, the measure of fishing layoffs has been
implemented.
Fishing layoff encouragements
are classified into voluntary layoffs and designated layoffs. Voluntary fishing
layoffs refer to voluntary adjustment by fishery operators whereby their
fishing vessels which have carried out fishing for 90 days, and berthing in
port for the same number of days berthed, will be qualifiable for the
application of subsidies, and receiving subsidies between NT$9,600 and
NT$300,000 depending on the sizes of the fishing vessels. Designated fishing
layoffs are applicable in accordance with the need in the conservation of
fisheries resources and the adjustment of the fisheries structure, under which fishing
vessels berth in port for the period of time as designated by the competent
fisheries authority. Designated fishing layoffs can be considered as fishing
closure, and the current implementation has been amended such that fishing
closure is applicable in accordance with the Fisheries Act.
The
number of fishing vessels participated in fishing layoffs increased from year
to year, from 5,620 vessel/trips in 2003 to 10,047 vessel/trips in 2013. In
view of the escalating fuel price, and the need for fishermen to maintain
competitiveness in fishing, the fuel subsidy of 14% will continue to apply. Meanwhile,
the Fisheries Agency is promoting fishing layoff encouragement as a form of
green subsidy permissible under the WTO rules, in order to conserve fisheries
resources and mitigate the impact of high fuel price on fisheries, with the establishment
of closed seasons, closed areas, total number of fishing vessels, fishing areas
and total allowable catch, for the management of fisheries resources.