No, magnet fishing in Taiwan operates in a legal gray zone, with no explicit nationwide ban but stringent local restrictions. While the activity isn’t criminalized outright, permits from the Council of Agriculture (COA) and Ministry of the Interior (MOI) are required for waterway access, and local governments may impose additional prohibitions under the Water Act or Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the River Management Regulations propose stricter oversight, potentially classifying magnet fishing as unauthorized riverbed disturbance.
Key Regulations for Magnet Fishing in Taiwan
- Water Act (水利法) Compliance: Requires prior approval from local water conservancy bureaus for any activity altering riverbeds or water flow. Unauthorized disturbances risk fines up to NT$1 million (≈US$32,000) under Article 78.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (文化資產保存法): Prohibits magnet fishing in areas designated as archaeological sites or underwater cultural heritage zones. Violations may trigger Article 92 penalties, including imprisonment up to 3 years.
- Local Ordinances: Municipal governments (e.g., Taipei City, New Taipei City) enforce additional restrictions via River Management Plans. For instance, Taipei’s 2025 amendment bans the practice in the Tamsui River Basin without a special use permit.
Enforcement varies by jurisdiction, with coastal areas (e.g., Kaohsiung) often treating magnet fishing as a form of illegal salvage under the Port Act. Consult the COA’s 2026 River Management Guidelines for updated compliance thresholds.