On October 24, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the amendment of Point 5 of the Land Protected Species List, adding 8 species in the Cyprinidae family, and 14 species of freshwater fish in total, to the protected species list. This brings the total number of Taiwan’s protected freshwater fish from 17 to 31 species. These include
Aphyocypris amnis, Gobiobotia cheni, Gobiobotia intermedia, Sicyopus auxilimentus, Smilosicyopus leprurus, Stiphodon imperiorientis, and the
Lentipes genus. Members of the public who were already in possession of any of the listed freshwater fish before the announcement must register with the county or municipal government where the fish are kept before December 31, 2023, and the owners will no longer be allowed to breed or sell/purchase the fish privately.
First Citizen-proposed Protected Species Category, Mostly Gobies with 11 Species
According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, MOA, there are many rivers and isolated water systems on the eastern side of Taiwan along the Pacific, which are critical habitats for gobies. However, due to factors such as improper river engineering management projects that obstruct fish migration and overfishing, the populations are gradually declining. Since gobies are difficult to breed artificially, the aquarium industry has to rely on capturing wild populations to meet the demand, and consequently the populations can only be stabilized by strengthening protection efforts.
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said that out of the announced list of protected species, gobies are the most numerous with 11 species. It was also the first time that a proposal was made by two civilian freshwater fish enthusiasts. The proposal was reviewed by three expert meetings that started in 2021, then the species were placed on the list by the Wildlife Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture after evaluation and classification. The original proposal suggested that 15 species and one genus (Lentipes, with approximately 22 species worldwide), totaling 37 freshwater fish species should be put on the protected species list, but experts assessed that 14 species were eligible for upgraded conservation status, which was then announced. Among them, Aphyocypris amnis is endemic to Taiwan, and is currently found in only a certain section of a creek in Nantou. The population only has 100 to 200 adult fishes, which makes it an endangered species. Also endemic to Taiwan is Gobiobotia cheni, found in Wuxi River and Zhoshui River of central Taiwan, and is listed as a rare and valuable species. Others listed under the Other Conservation-Deserving Wildlife category include Gobiobotia intermedia, Sicyopus auxilimentus, Smilosicyopus leprurus, Stiphodon imperiorientis, six endemic Lentipes species, and two international Lentipes species.
Over 5,000 Protected Species, Including International Species Also Listed
Of the eight
Lentipes species added to the protected species list, six are native species found in Taiwan, including the
Lentipes armatus, Lentipes bunagaya, Lentipes kaaea, Lentipes kijimuna, Lentipes mindanaoensis, and Lentipes palawanirufus. The other two are international species, which include
Lentipes watsoni, classified as “endangered (EN)” on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and
Lentipes dimetrodon, classified as “vulnerable (VU)” by the IUCN. Both species have been evaluated by the IUCN as threatened by capture for the aquarium trade.
Lentipes dimetrodon has also been imported and sold in Taiwan domestically in recent years, prompting its inclusion in the conservation list.
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency indicated that there are precedents for the inclusion of non-endemic wildlife in Taiwan into the Protected Species List, similar to the example of the
Lentipes dimetrodon. Out of the approximately 5,523 species (including subspecies) listed in the Land Protected Species List, apart from the 204 endemic species, 5,319 are international species not native to Taiwan, including entire families and genera. These species are considered at risk of extinction due to low population numbers and threats from the wildlife trade. Examples include elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, primates, and the more commonly known fish Arowana (wild individuals).
Owners Must Register for Inspection before December 31st, Breeding, Selling, Purchase or Display Not Allowed Without Permission
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency emphasized that through a yearly review mechanism, threatened wildlife will be assessed and included in the protected species list, while protected species whose populations have stabilized will be evaluated and placed back on the general wildlife species list. If members of the public are already in possession of any of the 14 species of freshwater fish added to the protected species list in this announcement, they must register with the county or municipal government in the area where the fish are kept, starting from the date of the announcement until December 31, 2023, in order to continue to legally keep the fish. However, the fish cannot be displayed in public places. Furthermore, the public and all major aquariums or online sellers are reminded that they are not allowed to privately breed and sell/purchase these species unless they have obtained a permit. If owners are found to be not registered, they will be fined up to NT$50,000 according to Article 31 the Wildlife Conservation Act, and the unregistered individual animals will be confiscated. The updated Land Protected Species List and the common market names of these gobies can be found on the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s
Nature Conservation website. The public can also call 1999 directly and inquire about the registration process with their local county or city government’s agricultural or conservation department.