Sun Moon Lake steps up removal of invasive predator fish
Taiwan's Sun Moon Lake has pulled more than 25,000 juvenile predator fish out of the water this year, a huge win for the lake's native species — but the money for the program is running out.
- Crews have netted over 25,000 young "lake bully" fish so far this year, more than 30 times last year's haul.
- Recent sweeps are catching 3,000 to 5,000 at a time, and the total could top 30,000 before the season ends.
- Nantou County's budget is nearly spent, so the operation is winding down even though breeding season is still going.
- Residents worry the gap will let the invasive fish rebound and undo the progress.
- The county is training local fishermen to keep catching them, and the fish can be sold to lakeside restaurants as a specialty dish for extra income.
Outlook: Removal work stops when the current funding runs out, with more money for next year still under discussion.