Two whale sharks have been successfully released back into the ocean, thanks
to efforts by local fishermen.

Witnesses say the adult whale sharks, one around 10 meters long, the other
around 6 meters long, swam into a fixed fishing net off Taitung County's
Taimali coast on Tuesday

The fishermen opened the net to guide the whale sharks out, and due to their
considerable size, the process to over an hour.

The fishermen also notified nauthorities including the county government, the
Ocean Conservation Administration, the Coast Guard, and academic
institutions, then following their instructions on tagging and release.

The fishermen's representatives note that whale shark encounters are becoming
more frequent, and efforts to help the animals are labor-intensive and
disrupts the catch.

They are urging the government to provide incentive or recognition for
fishermen who assist in releasing protected marine animals.

(NS)