Products derived from whale sharks will no longer be on sale in Taiwan because of a ban taking effect on Wednesday.

Whale shark meat is considered a delicacy in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. However, the whale shark is listed in the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Taiwan's Council of Agriculture has announced that no further fishing of the whale shark will be allowed from next year.

Under the current ban, fishermen are obliged to return caught whale sharks to the ocean, whether the fish is dead or alive. Violators may face imprisonment or a fine.