The third Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium kicked off June 23 in Kenting, Pingtung County, underscoring Taiwan’s leading role in global coral reef studies.
Organized by National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in southern Taiwan, the event is supported by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Technology.
More than 500 officials, researchers and representatives from nongovernmental organizations dedicated to marine biology preservation will take part in at the event’s various activities.
Based on the theme Challenges of Asia-Pacific Coral Reefs under the Changing Ocean, the conference aims to tackle threats to coral reefs using multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches, according to NMMBA Director-General Wang Wei-hsien.
“Coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region provides over NT$72 billion [US$2.4 billion] in fisheries production, NT$8 billion in tourism output and NT$1 billion in business activities related to coastal protection,” he said.
“But population pressure, marine pollution and overfishing pose serious threats to the region’s marine ecosystems, a situation that must be addressed posthaste.”
Wang said the symposium functions as an effective platform for scientists, managers and policymakers to share their expertise and promote dialogue and collaboration on related issues.
During the conference’s five-day run, 10 senior researchers from home and abroad, including Australia, Japan and the Philippines, will deliver keynote speeches spanning a wide range of topics, while 350 research papers will be released.
Participants will also visit Dongsha Atoll Research Station in the South China Sea. It is the first time for the facility to open to the public since its establishment in 2012 by Kaohsiung City-based National Sun Yat-sen University. (SFC-JSM)
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