Matsu’s Fish seizes “Critically Endangered” title, winning international glory for Taiwan

13 August, Petition at Council of Agriculture – notice to the press

International Glory for Taiwan

As Taiwanese representatives work hard to win glory for Taiwan at the Olympics, Taiwan’s Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis, also known locally as Matsu’s Fish or Chinese white dolphin) are the first to win international recognition. On 12 August 2008 in the UK, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in its 2008 Red List of endangered species, officially listed Taiwan’s humpback dolphins as Critically Endangered (CR).

On the 13th Taiwanese environmental groups will respond to the IUCN announcement by presenting a petition at the Council of Agriculture, calling upon Taiwan’s government to take conservation action immediately, to prevent this population of dolphins from reaching “Extinct” status.

Time: 13 August 2008 (Wednesday), 9.30am
Location: Council of Agriculture (37 Nanhai Road, Chongcheng District, Taipei)
Agenda for press conference:

09:30～09:40 Introduction to the groups presenting the petition and to the event
09:40～09:50 Perform “Matu’s Fish wins glory for Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou commends them on their performance”
09:50～10:00 Screening of humpback dolphin video footage and photographs
10:00～10:30 Discussion with Council of Agriculture

Contact person:
(English) Christina MacFarquhar, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association
0938 643 410；02-2382-5789, chrisgagele@gmail.com
(Taiwanese, Chinese) Funder Chen, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association 0917-237-786；02-2382-5789.

Groups presenting the petition:
Taiwan Academy of Ecology, Taiwan Sustainable Union, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, Taiwan Environmental Protection Union, Wild Bird Society of Yunlin, Changhua Coast Conservation Action, FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group, Green Party Taiwan, Taiwan Friends of the Global Greens.


Also see:
MFCU Press Release:- Matsu’s Fish seizes “Critically Endangered” title, winning international glory for Taiwan.

Critically Endangered - It's Official !

Press Release: Taiwan’s unique population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins is on the brink of extinction

Dolphins Critically Endangered - Media coverage