DPP local election candidate caught for illegal sea urchin harvesting

Taipei, July 1 (CNA) A Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-nominated candidate for the Magong City Council was among six individuals caught illegally harvesting sea urchins in outlying Penghu County on Tuesday, the day before the fishing season opened.

The Penghu District Prosecutors Office said the six suspects, including a man surnamed Hsiang (項), were caught Tuesday evening harvesting sea urchins before the annual ban expired on July 1.

Prosecutors said the suspects took a private boat to waters near uninhabited Jinyu Island in Baisha Township, where they were spotted by drones operated by a joint enforcement task force targeting illegal fishing activities.

Authorities seized 154 sea urchins and escorted the boat and its occupants back to Magong's Anshan Fishing Harbor for investigation.

After questioning, prosecutors released the six on bail ranging from NT$30,000 (US$1,020) to NT$60,000 on suspicion of violating the Fisheries Act.

After confirming that Hsiang has been nominated by the DPP as a candidate for the Magong City Council, the party's Penghu chapter said it regretted the incident and the negative public perception it had created.

The ruling party added it fully supports the ongoing judicial investigation, the enforcement of legal responsibility and will handle the matter in accordance with its party charter.

Penghu prohibits the harvesting of wild sea urchins from September through June to protect the species. Harvesting and sales are allowed only during July and August, and only for sea urchins with a shell diameter of at least 8 centimeters.

Under the Fisheries Act, anyone convicted of illegally harvesting, processing, selling or possessing undersized sea urchins during the closed season faces up to three years in prison, detention and a fine of up to NT$150,000, or a combination of those penalties.