TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan hosted an annual fishing competition on Sunday (Nov. 17) at Hu Tou Pei Scenic Area to combat invasive fish species.

In its third year, the competition drew over 200 fishing enthusiasts. Participants used artificial lures to catch their fish, per CNA. Winners were determined by the weight of their largest catch.

Pingtung angler Liao Jia-lung (廖家隆) won first place with a 7.85 kg catfish. Changhua angler Hsiao I-kai (蕭伊楷) took second place with a 3.99 kg clown featherback, while Tainan’s Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) placed third with a 2.78 kg clown featherback.

The competition was designed to create a healthier ecosystem for native fish by reducing the population of invasive species, said Tainan's Tourism and Travel Bureau Chief Lin Kwo-hua (林國華). Participants had to bring their own fishing rods and use artificial lures to minimize environmental impact.

Repetitive casting in lure fishing provides a more dynamic and environmentally responsible approach to fishing. Powdered bait can contribute to water pollution and algal blooms, while perishable bait like fish or shrimp causes waste and hygiene issues.