TAIPEI: Taiwan plans to use DNA from whales and dolphins as evidence to convict poachers and protect endangered marine animals, an official said yesterday.

The tactic is meant to outwit poachers who try to cover their tracks after catching whales and dolphins by cutting off the animals' heads, tails and fins, said Hsia Jung-sheng, an official from the Council of Agriculture.

"What they don't know is that the government has set up a comprehensive databank on DNA from whales and dolphins," she told AFP.

Taiwan's coastguards last week discovered a haul of dolphin meat weighing more than 1.3 tons in the northeastern fishing port of Suao.

All species of whales and dolphins are protected by Taiwan's conservation law, and any person found violating the law faces a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to NT$1.5 million ($47,000).

China Daily/AFP

(HK Edition 02/02/2010 page2)