| Abstrakt: |
The Taiwanese White Dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) is a small, isolated, and critically endangered subspecies of dolphin in the waters of Taiwan, with less than 74 individuals remaining. Among the many threats facing these dolphins, fishery bycatch is by far the gravest. The dolphins are provided the highest level of legal protection under Taiwan's Wildlife Conservation Act based on its critical status, but the law has not been effective in protecting these dolphins from harm. This paper examines the legal framework regarding the inherent conflict between commercial fishing and protection of endangered marine mammals from bycatch and entanglement, and provides suggestions on how Taiwan may implement or amend current laws to protect dolphins and other marine wildlife while still allowing commercial fishing activities to proceed. For the sake of comparison, this paper explores U.S. laws and regulations pertaining to the entanglement and protection of endangered marine mammals threatened by fisheries. This paper then offers normative suggestions for the conservation of endangered dolphins in Taiwan based on the comparative analysis between U.S. and Taiwan law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
