The species of fish was discovered in 1920 by Japanese researchers. Since that time, its numbers have been decreasing around the island due to overfishing and habitat destruction caused by human activity. Shinwulu Creek and Beinan River in Taitung have remained as the only two unthreatened major habitats for the fish species in recent years. However, members of local environment groups noted that “the environment along Shinwulu Creek has been in jeopardy since a water intake reservoir was built some years ago.”

“Since that time, “ they continued, “fish have died in large numbers every summer in the creek, including the rare Varicorhinus alticorpus, because the badly-designed reservoir often leads fish into following dead-end courses.”

In order to prevent further mass die-offs, the Water Resources Agency under the Ministry of Economic Affairs appropriated funds last year to build a fish ladder to help fish bypass the reservoir.

After several months of observation, the local ecologists claimed that the number of trapped fish has declined since the construction of the fish ladder was completed early this year.

“However, there is still much more that can be done to save the Varicorhinus alticorpus, “ they noted, adding that “these measures should be taken before the species becomes extinct.”

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