Joseph, I didn't mean I made a serious, determined investigation. I just checked the Web and asked around at shops in a low-key manner, just to get an idea. We had only two nights there and spent most of the time sightseeing
I heard there is a morning wholesale market where lots of fish and possibly newts appear, but I didn't have time to check it out. Even in Japan, I haven't yet seen a wholesaler of newts. They tend to want to keep a distance from the "end-users". Still, I'm trying to document everything and anything to do with Cynops species and so I'll keep trying.
Kwok, I think he just means the people doing the "hands-on" work of collecting from the wild. By the way, there was a 2nd floor or 3rd floor herp shop on Tung Choi with the biggest tiger salamander I have ever seen in my life! Is it still there? it was August and I hardly saw any newts at the shops. Perhaps it just wasn't the season for them. Here's a pic of one of the shops.
Anyway, I'll be sure to set aside time to visit Tai Po Ar next time I'm there