TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hualien County Government has extended its regulated public fishing trial at Hualien Fishing Harbor through May 31 and will increase surveillance to enforce the rules.

CNA reported Thursday that the trial will continue at the harbor’s west breakwater, the only designated fishing area. The county's Agriculture Department Director Chen Sun-wen (陳淑雯) said authorities will use surveillance systems to collect evidence of violations and issue fines in accordance with the law.

“Past violations included fishing lines affecting navigation channels, littering, illegal parking on docks, and fishing outside designated areas,” Chen said. She added that inspections will be stepped up to ensure the safety of fishing vessels and harbor operations.

Chen said Hualien has a strong fishing port culture and a rich marine environment, and the policy aims to balance public recreational needs with fishers’ rights, per UDN. “Regulated public fishing also reflects respect for marine ecology,” she added.

The Agriculture Department said fishing will be suspended if the Central Weather Administration issues a sea or land typhoon warning covering Hualien County, or if a strong earthquake triggers a high wave alert. Authorities may also halt access for operational or safety reasons.

The department said fishing vessels have priority in the harbor and that fishing must not disrupt navigation or dock work. Violators face fines ranging from NT$30,000 (US$970) to NT$150,000 under Article 21 of the Fishing Port Act, per Yahoo News.