Taipei, April 11 (CNA) Taiwan must do more to promote the protection of the threatened whale shark, the largest fish in the world, experts from various countries said Monday at a conference in Taipei. In response to the rapidly decreasing number of whale sharks (Rhiniodon typus) remaining in the wild, National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and WildAid jointly invited international scholars to join a conference to discuss ways of saving the largest shark, also the largest fish, on earth.

NTOU professor Liu Kuang-ming suggested that tours to sight the whale shark should be organized in Taiwan to help protect the animal. As many countries, including Australia, the Philippines and Belize promote such tours, he added, revenues generated in some of these countries are greater than that generated in catching fish alone.

While the whale shark is protected by many countries and listed in the "threatened species" category by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), Taiwan consumes large quantities of the animal each year.

Known in Taiwan as "tofusa" (Tofu shark), the whale shark can grow up to about 20 meters long and weigh approximately 34 tons, with a life span of almost 100 years. Usually inhabiting shallow coastal waters, it survives by eating small fish and shrimp. It poses no threat to humans. Its tameness is the reason it is often caught and hence the decreasing numbers. Under regulations by the Council of Agriculture under the Executive Yuan, the quota for catching whale sharks is 65 this year, and Taiwanese fishermen must report to authorities if they have caught any.