Source: Central News Agency

Taipei, March 2 (CNA) Greenpeace Taipei urged the government on Friday to push for marine conservation at the upcoming West and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting and said it would release a giant hot air balloon Saturday to highlight its appeal. Taiwan should take the lead in pushing conservation during the March 25-30 meeting because it is one of the world's largest fish catchers in a world plagued by overfishing, the group said. According to the environmental group, global fish stocks have fallen by more than 80 percent over the past 50 years, with a decrease in the number of tuna especially worrisome because the species is highly migratory and needs international protection. "For years we have acted so passively at international meetings like the WCPFC," said Greenpeace Oceans campaigner Kao Yu-fen. "We demand at least some initiatives from the government so we know that it cares about the issue." As a formal member of the WCPFC, Taiwan should also support the closing off of additional high-sea areas and the establishment of conservation zones to protect endangered fish, Kao said. To make their voice heard, Kao said the group will release a hot air balloon at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on Saturday -- the first time it will use its trademark balloon in Taiwan. In response, the Fisheries Agency said it was fully aware of the concerns of sustainable fishing and was prepared to discuss related issues with member countries "if the issue is brought up at the meeting." "We are open and welcome to all kinds of initiatives," said Deputy Director-General Tsay Tzu-Yaw, and he also called on Greenpeace to voice its concerns in its capacity as one of the meeting's observers. (By Lee Hsin-Yin)