Hence most fishermen felt whale sharks were more trouble than they were worth. But from the 1980s larger boats came into use, mostly over 20 tons, with adequate engine power and lifting gear; and other fish stocks were drying up.
不過從二十年前開始，漁船漸大，一般都在二十噸以上，動力夠、容量大，也有起重機，加上魚源枯竭，漁民在「無魚蝦也好」的心境下，才順手捕捉豆腐鯊。