Whale sharks and manta rays will receive protection under the new law in Taiwan, increasing penalties for anyone found guilty of disturbing or capturing the animals. Under Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act, whale sharks, giant oceanic manta rays, and reef manta rays will be uplisted from “rare and valuable” to “endangered,” joining four different shark species, including Sawfishes.

Taiwan’s Fisheries Act banned whale shark hunting in 2008 and prohibited the capture of the two species of manta rays in 2017. As of June 1, those guilty of disturbing or capturing any of the three species face up to five years in prison and a fine of NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million (US$10,033 to US$50,164), according to Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC).

More info at https://wildaid.org/whale-sharks-and-mantas-receive-full-protection-in-taiwan/